Hoover seniors have been completing the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, to secure financial support for college.

For many students, filling out the FAFSA is a first-time experience. It is a crucial step in obtaining grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities that can make college more affordable.

College and Career Counselor Martina Arroyo has been helping students navigate the process and avoid common mistakes.

“Missing the financial aid deadline can delay processing, which may cause late tuition payments or prevent students from registering for classes,” Arroyo said. “Many students skip the FAFSA because they think they will not qualify, but there is no income cap. FAFSA is required for many grants, loans, work-study opportunities, and even some scholarships. I highly recommend applying, even for programs like the two-year free college offer at Glendale Community College.”

Students also shared their experiences completing the FAFSA.

Senior Aylin rated her understanding of the FAFSA a nine out of 10. “It took a couple of days because I needed to find my dad’s 2024 tax information, but I feel like I understand what FAFSA does really well,” she said.

Lucy Absher also rated her understanding a nine out of 10. “It took me about a day, with breaks, to upload all the necessary documents with my parents,” she said. “None of it was confusing. I just wanted to make sure my submissions were accurate.”

Matthew Aldana felt very confident, rating his understanding a 10 out of 10. “It only took about two hours to complete, and the only tricky part was estimating the dates of when I arrived at or left previous residences,” he said.

For many students, gathering required documents—such as tax information and parent details—was the most time-consuming part of the process. Completing the FAFSA early can give students the best chance of receiving all available aid, including federal grants, state grants, and college-specific scholarships.

“Understanding the FAFSA is empowering,” Arroyo said. “It opens doors for students to pursue higher education without unnecessary financial stress and helps them plan for their future.”