Don't be afraid to try making a presentation about financial aid. The basics are easy to grasp and explain; and if you're at an intermediate level of knowledge, you can go into more depth in your remarks. Supplement your message with the handouts we've highlighted on this page, or find more using our "Search Financial Aid Tools and Resources" functionality.
Want to get a grounding in the concepts of financial aid before you talk to students and parents about it? You can teach yourself via the "Learn About Financial Aid" section of this website, or you can get training in financial aid.
Make a Presentation Introducing Federal Student Aid and the FAFSA® Form
Make a Presentation About Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
Make a Presentation About Responsible Student Loan Borrowing
Make a Presentation Introducing Federal Student Aid and the FAFSA® Form
Before your students dive into filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, give them a grasp of the types of financial aid, the general application process, and where to learn more.
Tip: You may use the PowerPoint presentation we've provided below and edit it to include information about your state's financial aid or other topics particularly relevant to your students.
Talking points:
- Don't decide on a college based on its tuition; wait until you know your net cost, or out-of-pocket cost, so you can see how affordable it'll truly be for you.
- Don't assume you won't qualify for financial aid; apply and find out.
Finding Money for College or Career School*(Result Type: PPT)
Description:
Presentation providing students with a basic introduction to types of financial aid and how to apply for federal student aid using the FAFSA form. [1.72 MB]
Resource Type:
Presentation
Also
Available in: PDF(Result Type: PDF)
Do You Need Money for College or Career/Trade School?(Result Type: PDF)
Description:
Publication providing students with information on applying for aid, types of federal student aid, and eligibility. [404 KB]
Resource Type:
Handout
Also
Available in: Text Version(Result Type: General), Spanish(Result Type: PDF), Text Version - Spanish(Result Type: General)
Make a Presentation About Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
As FAFSA filing time approaches, your students will feel less anxious if they know what to expect. You might wish to use the FAFSA Form Preview Presentation to give students and parents a preview of the application. (You'll need internet access in the room where you're presenting.) For a more traditional talk, use a PowerPoint presentation.
Talking point: Meeting school and state deadlines can make a difference in the amount of aid a student receives.
2024–25 FAFSA® Form Preview Presentation(Result Type: General)
Description:
Presentation providing screenshots of the 2024–25 FAFSA form. Feel free to use the screenshots as you compile your own presentations.
Resource Type:
Presentation
Make a Presentation About Responsible Student Loan Borrowing
Although millions of students get grants and scholarships for college each year, the fact is that your students are more than likely going to end up getting student loans.
Tip: Real stories of student loan borrowers can be very effective as you raise awareness of rights and responsibilities. See if there's a recent college graduate from your local area who would be willing to talk about how their monthly loan payments compared to their income. There's no need to go into specific dollar amounts; just a general message about what the borrower can or can't afford due to debt load might get the point across.
Talking points:
- Interest accrues throughout college or career/trade school on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, so when the borrower enters repayment they will owe both the loan amount borrowed plus accrued interest. If the borrower pays the interest while in college or career/trade school, they could save money in the long run because their monthly payment might be applied to principal sooner.
- Your expenses will change after you leave school. For example, if you recently graduated, you usually won't be required to begin paying off your student loans for six months, but when that payment is added to your monthly expenses, it will have a big impact on your budget.
Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide(Result Type: PDF)
Description:
Guide providing an overview of information federal student loan borrowers need to successfully repay their federal student loan(s). [13 MB]
Resource Type:
How-To Guide
Repayment: What To Expect video(Result Type: General)
Description:
Video explaining what federal student loan borrowers can expect when their federal student loan enters repayment.
Resource Type:
Video
Also
Available in: Spanish-captioned video(Result Type: VIDEO)