Hello Counselors,

The beginning of the school year is the best time to remind your high school seniors and returning college students about the importance

of completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This critical step is the first in the process of qualifying for state

and federal aid to help pay for college.

We know that getting your students and their parents engaged early in the process can be challenging. However, many financial aid deadlines are rapidly approaching, so

it’s essential for students to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1. With that in mind, UCanGo2, an initiative of the Oklahoma College Assistance Program, created

the FAFSA Counselor Toolkit to make it easier for you to communicate key FAFSA information.

Given your packed schedule and the importance of early FAFSA notification to students and parents, we’ve loaded the toolkit with resources that are “ready to roll” for your convenience. Samples of printed materials are provided in this kit and many more tools are available online at UCanGo2.org, where you can also contact us for copies of printed publications. From general FAFSA information to tips for planning a FAFSA event, this multimedia kit has all the resources you’ll need to successfully promote FAFSA completion. This guide offers tips to help you put UCanGo2’s FAFSA resources into practice with your students and their parents.

We hope you find this toolkit to be an excellent resource for your FAFSA education efforts. For additional college planning publications and tools, visit UCanGo2.org or contact us directly at (405) 234-4239, (866) 443-7420 (toll free), or UCanGo2@ocap.org.

Sincerely,Outreach ServicesOklahoma College Assistance Program

FAFSA 2020-21

FEATURED IN THIS KIT

The Finish the FAFSA in Five Steps flyer is intended to help students and their parents understand the FAFSA process and to identify additional resources that offer more information. The flyer also offers FAFSA Facts, answering commonly asked questions about the FAFSA, including questions about income, dependency, security, FSA IDs and more. Download this publication free of charge at UCanGo2.org.

Display the FAFSA Poster in high traffic areas at your school to remind students to submit the FAFSA. The poster includes important information about FAFSA completion and directs students to submit the application online or using their phone or tablet.

The FSA ID Worksheet and Completing the FAFSA will guide students and their parents through the FSA ID creation process as well as completing the FAFSA. Download this publication free of charge at UCanGo2.org and provide them to the families you serve.

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Oklahoma College Assistance Program

Need money for college? Distribute StartWithFAFSA.org business cards to high school seniors, their parents and college students to remind them to visit our exclusive FAFSA website. There, they’ll find helpful FAFSA information, FAFSA completion video tutorials in English and Spanish, and answers to their questions about the FAFSA. Download this publication free of charge at UCanGo2.org.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication, printed by Comtech, is issued by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, as authorized by 70 O.S. 2001, Section 3206. 1,100 copies have been printed at a cost of approximately $340. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. This publication was produced in August 2019.

Top Online FAFSA Toolsucango2.org/educators/HS.html

We’ve created a few advertisements for you to use, free of charge, to promote FAFSA completion. Share these videos and display ads through your school’s website or social media platforms.

Give your high school seniors the push they need to cross the finish line before graduation! Here are three ways you can help your senior apply for state and federal financial aid to offset college expenses.

Parents,

Locate your tax information. Most high school seniors are considered “dependent” students, which means that they need information from you to complete the FAFSA. To complete the 2017-2018 FAFSA, your senior will need information from your 2015 W-2 and tax return.

Create an FSA ID. In order to add your financial information to your senior’s online FAFSA, you’ll need a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID). You’ll use the same FSA ID each year to access your student’s online FAFSA. If you have more than one student in college, your FSA ID can be used on as many applications as necessary.

Submit the FAFSA early. Gather your income and asset information so you’ll be ready to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1. Remember: the sooner, the better.

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2Use the FAFSA Parent Flyer to inform parents about the FAFSA and outline the steps they need to take to help their student submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1.

Using the FAFSA Dependency Questionnaire, students can quickly and easily determine their dependency status, a key element of FAFSA completion.

Use the FAFSA Fundamentals PowerPoint to guide your students and their parents through the FAFSA process. Fully equipped with detailed speaking notes, this presentation is the perfect tool for a successful FAFSA event.

FAFSA Links and ResourcesClick the links below to find resources designed to help students and

their parents complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.

FCL-7/16

2016-17 FAFSACompletion Guide

(98 pages)

This guide has information about every question found in the FAFSA. It also

includes information about the application process, frequently asked questions and

more.

FAFSA.gov

Click here to begin the FAFSA

FAFSAHelp Page

Click here for the FAFSA.gov help portal, where you can find useful information

about your FAFSA status, the FAFSA4Caster and more.

StartWithFAFSA.orgUCanGo2’s FAFSA information hub

which features information, tools, instructional materials and video

tutorials in English and Spanish.

the FAFSA electronically.

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The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication is issued by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, as authorized by 70 O.S. 2001, Section 3206. Copies have not been printed but are available through the agency website at www.okhighered.org. Two printout copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

2016-17 FAFSA Completion Guide in Spanish

(104 pages)

Revisit studentaid.gov/resources for the 2017-18 update.

The FAFSA Links and Resources PDF includes clickable links to key FAFSA completion resources.

Planning a FAFSA event at your school? Looking for a simple way to promote FAFSA completion? Use our colorful FAFSA email blasts to get the word out and the job done. Each blast contains a professionally written message from the pros in the field and is completely customizable to fit your needs. Simply add your information in the designated areas and insert the blast text into an email to your target audience.

Use the Oklahoma FAFSA Data Portal, a free, online tool to help you better assist your seniors to successfully complete the FAFSA. Authorized users will have access to student-level information regarding FAFSA completion status.