Below you’ll find checklists, tips, tracking sheets, and more to help you navigate the financial aid process.

Get Ready to File the 2025-2026 FAFSA

Here is a checklist of what you need to file the 2025-2026 FAFSA, what assets you may need to report on the FAFSA, and how to determine when parent information is required on the FAFSA.

FSA ID Tracking Sheets

All students need to have an FSA ID to access the FAFSA. To create a Federal Student Aid account and set up your FSA ID, go to StudentAid.gov and click on “Create Account.” Your FSA ID must be created and matched by the Social Security Administration before you can start your FAFSA, so create your FSA ID early! For dependent students, your parent(s) will also need to create an account and set up an FSA ID to access and sign the FAFSA. Download the appropriate FAME FSA ID Tracking Sheet for your situation below, then follow our tips and step-by-step instructions.

Parents without a Social Security number (SSN) are now able to create a Federal Student Aid account. Get step-by-step instructions and keep track of your FSA ID information with our FSA ID Tracking Sheet for those without a Social Security number:

FAFSA 1-2-3 for New Mainers

If you’re a new Mainer who’s eligible for federal student aid, your next step is to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Use FAME’s FAFSA 1-2-3 for New Mainers to make filing the FAFSA easier.

Get Ready to File the 2024-2025 FAFSA

Here is a checklist of what you need to file the 2024-2025 FAFSA, what assets you may need to report on the FAFSA, and how to determine when parent information is required on the FAFSA.

2024-2025 FAFSA Tips

Before you file, check out our 2024-2025 FAFSA Tips to make filing as easy and as accurate as possible!

The Path to Affording Higher Education

Here are some tips and conversation starters to help families be better prepared to pay for higher education.

Managing Your Student Loans in Five Steps

Managing your student loan repayment is a critical part of establishing good credit and achieving your future financial goals. The five steps in this resource will help you successfully manage your student loan repayment.

Comparing Costs and Financial Aid Offers

There is no standard format for financial aid notifications, making it difficult to compare offers from different schools. Use FAME’s Comparing Costs and Financial Aid Offers worksheet to help you compare different offers. (Please note: not all browsers/versions support PDF forms. For best results, download the worksheet and open with Adobe Reader, available as a free download from Adobe.com.) Prefer to print the worksheet? Download and print this file.

Resources to Pay the Balance

Many families pay for college using a piecemeal approach, pulling from a variety of resources. Use FAME’s Resources to Pay the Balance Worksheet to help identify what resources you may have available. (Please note: not all browsers/versions support PDF forms. For best results, download the worksheet and open with Adobe Reader, available as a free download from Adobe.com.) Prefer to print the worksheet? Download and print this file.

Steps to Appeal a Financial Aid Offer

Do your (or your parents’) financial circumstances differ from what is on your FAFSA? Do you or your parents have significant non-discretionary expenses that aren’t even asked about on the FAFSA? If so, and the situation is impacting the ability to pay for college, we recommend you discuss the situation with your financial aid office. This tool will help you prepare for and understand the process of appealing.

Transition to College

This checklist is designed to help students be ready to go on the first day of school.