Why Use an Online Service for FAFSA Assistance?
If you’re interested in FAFSA assistance services, read on. We’ll feature the five best online services and their pros and cons. You’ll then be able to make informed decisions at the end of the article.
Why should you complete and submit the FAFSA in the first place? You can skip it because it can be overwhelming to do so.
But completing and submitting the FAFSA is a must if you want to get financial aid. The rising cost of college tuition – on average 3.63% per year from 2010-2023 – makes it necessary.
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In the current academic year, direct costs ranged from $11,011 (in-state) to $24,513 (out-of-state). Private colleges charged $43,505 on average. Add the indirect costs, which comprise 60% of the cost of attendance, and student loans aren’t far behind.
Indeed, you must look beyond the hassles of completing and submitting the FAFSA. Getting free money to finance your college education is always welcome.
Furthermore, it isn’t only the federal government that uses FAFSA to determine aid. State governments, colleges, and private organizations also use it. Plus, federal student loans usually have better repayment terms and lower interest rates.
But we understand if you’re still intimidated by the FAFSA process and requirements. There’s the number of required documents and the time needed. Then, there’s the matter of meeting deadlines and making corrections.
This is where the best FAFSA help online services can help. Look to these FAFSA assistance services when you:
- Are a newbie in the FAFSA process and requirements
- Want to decrease the risk of mistakes in completing the FAFSA
- Have unique financial circumstances or are undergoing changes in your financial situation
- Want to maximize your financial aid eligibility
Many of these FAFSA assistance services are also free or affordable.
What to Look for in a FAFSA Assistance Service
Not every FAFSA assistance service will live up to its hype. You must consider these key factors so you’ll receive effective services.
- Accuracy and expertise: Look for trained professionals with an in-depth understanding of the FAFSA system. Financial aid experts on board are also a desirable feature. Check their credentials and success rate, if possible. Read the users’ reviews and feedback, too.
- Pricing and transparency: Completing and submitting the FAFSA is a free process. As such, be cautious of assistance services with excessive fees. Check the prices and their fairness in relation to the assistance.
- User-friendly features: Look for easy navigation, automated checks, and interactive tools. Consider resources that provide step-by-step guidance on the FAFSA application.
- Effective support options: Look for many types of support, such as phone support, email support, and live chat. The best provide one-on-one, real-time support, too. These are especially important if you have special circumstances, such as appeals.
- Fast turnaround time: Delays in submitting the FAFSA or making corrections have negative consequences. You can get reduced aid or, worse, no aid at all. This is also true for mistakes made on entering information. So, a service that offers fast yet accurate processing is a must.
- Affordable cost and value for your money: Go for affordable yet quality services. Consider the value you’ll get when you pay for the services. Ask about other services that come with the FAFSA help. Financial planning, college selection, and scholarship search are examples.
Comparison Table: Top 5 Online FAFSA Assistance Services
| BigFuture by College Board | College Aid | FAFSA911.com | Edvisors | Ask Benji | |
| Features | – Step-by-step instructions – Videos and tutorials – Financial aid tools and calculators – Checklists of documents | – User-friendly platform – Multilingual support – Immediate, real-time, and 24/7 chatbot feedback | – FAFSA application assistance – Financial aid counseling – Personalized guidance | -Comprehensive resources – Comparison tools – User-friendly interface | AI-powered chatbot dedicated to the FAFSA application process |
| Pricing | Free | Free | No specific fees are provided, but its expert services usually comes with a price | Free | Free |
| Ease of Use | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| User Reviews | – Positive user experiences – Comprehensive resources – Reliable information | – Tailored answers – Up-to-date information – May provide incomplete or incorrect answers | Provides personalized services but isn’t transparent on fees | Positive user experiences but advertising influence demand due diligence | – On-the-spot, reliable, and up-to-date answers – Limited to Arizona users |
Detailed Reviews of the Top 5 FAFSA Assistance Services
BigFuture by College Board
- Features: Step-by-step instructions, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid tools and calculators
- Pricing: Free
- Ease of Use: Easy
- User Reviews: Positive user experiences, comprehensive resources, and reliable information
College Board, a nonprofit behind standardized tests, offers FAFSA completion services. The BigFuture platform offers extensive resources, including:
- A FAFSA completion guide with a detailed breakdown of the application process
- Tutorials and videos on filling out the FAFSA and its required information
- Checklists that college students and their parents must gather before applying
- Financial aid estimators useful in predicting financial aid eligibility (e.g., EFC calculator)
BigFuture neither processes nor submits FAFSA applications. Only the federal government and state agencies have the authority to process them.
Other notable services offered include:
- Scholarship opportunities (e.g., monthly scholarship drawings with $500 and $40,000 awards)
- Student loan repayment calculator
- Net price calculator that estimates college costs after financial aid
- College search and comparison tools
- College planning and application resources
- College admissions and readiness support
- Career exploration and planning
- Parent and counselor resources
Indeed, BigFuture by College Board should be on top of your list for best value FAFSA services.
College Aid
- Features: User-friendly platform and multilingual support
- Pricing: Free
- Ease of Use: Easy
- User Reviews: Tailored answers and up-to-date information; may provide incomplete or incorrect answers
College Aid offers FAFSA application support via a chatbot and a human team of experts. You’ll get the chatbot experience first, but you can request human support.
The chatbot provides immediate, real-time, and reliable FAFSA guidance. College Aid asserts that the information provided comes from reputable sources. Financial aid experts also review the standards based on recent changes.
But emphasis must be made that the chatbot can make mistakes, too. This is particularly true for “unique and highly specific” questions. The answers, nonetheless, are constantly being refined for accuracy.
College Aid also offers multilingual support. This is in keeping with the multilingual format of FAFSA, too. You ask questions and get answers in English or Spanish.
Create an account on the College Aid platform for free. Once you are logged in, you can begin using the chatbot.
FAFSA911.com
- Features: FAFSA application assistance, financial aid counseling, and personalized guidance
- Pricing: No specific fees are provided, but its expert services usually come with a price
- Ease of Use: Easy
- User Reviews: Provides personalized services but isn’t transparent on fees
Consider FAFSA911.com if you want quality FAFSA help for students for a price. Note, however, that the website doesn’t have specifics on the fees.
FAFSA911.com appears to be managed by a single individual (i.e., “I am a FAFSA specialist”). FAFSA application services offered include:
- Expert guidance from start to finish of the FAFSA application process
- Tips on highlighting financial need on FAFSA
- Fast and accurate processing to meet deadlines
- Easy access to comprehensive resources
- Personalized assistance based on every client’s unique needs and circumstances
- Help in handling verification requirements
FAFSA911.com also offers financial aid counseling to maximize financial aid opportunities.
Edvisors
- Features: Comprehensive resources, comparison tools, and user-friendly interface
- Pricing: Free
- Ease of Use: Easy
- User Reviews: Positive user experiences but advertising influence demands due diligence
If you want to compare FAFSA assistance tools, Edvisors is popular, too. You’ll find comprehensive resources on diverse topics, including:
- Step-by-step FAFSA completion as well as useful tips in filling in information. Other topics include scholarship searches, student loan options, and college financial planning.
- Comparison tools for comparing loan options from private lenders
- Scholarship search engine for more financial aid opportunities
- Financial literacy resources
The Edvisors site features a user-friendly interface with organized sections. Navigating the site and finding information is easier than expected.
But keep in mind that it doesn’t offer personalized services. Think of it as more of a self-guided resource.
Ask Benji
- Features: AI-powered chatbot dedicated to the FAFSA application process
- Pricing: Free
- Ease of Use: Easy
- User Reviews: On-the-spot, reliable, and up-to-date answers
Ask Benji offers FAFSA application online services via an AI-powered chatbot, too. But it’s primarily intended for Arizona students, parents and educators. This is a partnership between Arizona State University and Education Forward Arizona.
Besides increasing FAFSA awareness, it’s also intended to increase completion rates in Arizona. The services offered in relation to FAFSA support include:
- 24/7 support. You can text “Hi Benji” to (602) 786-8171 for your FAFSA-related questions. The chatbot provides immediate answers.
- Multilingual support. You can ask questions in English and Spanish. The feature increases its accessibility to more users. Arizona has a significant Spanish-speaking population.
- Personalized guidance. You’ll receive tailored prompts and information for the FAFSA application process.
The user-friendly text messaging platform makes it easy to use. You can text from anywhere in Arizona, too. Underserved communities enjoy the service, too.
Pros and Cons: Which FAFSA Assistance Service is Best for You?
BigFuture by College Board
Pros:
- A comprehensive range of resources and tools
- Comes from College Board, a trusted organization
Cons:
- Generalized assistance services (i.e., little to no personalized guidance)
BigFuture offers among the best FAFSA filing services because it’s free and reliable. This is best for individuals who want a broad understanding of FAFSA.
College Aid
Pros:
- Offers focused guidance in FAFSA and other financial aid opportunities
- More detailed insights into the financial aid process
Cons:
- Support types and levels vary and, in some cases, unclear
If this isn’t your first FAFSA rodeo, you’ll find College Aid a suitable choice. You’ll find additional information on getting more financial aid here.
FAFSA911.com
Pros:
- Provides personalized FAFSA assistance from experts who provide start-to-end guidance
- Fast turnaround time and accurate application processing
Cons:
- Charges fees for personalized consultation services
Go for FAFSA911.com if you’re a first-timer who wants personalized support.
Edvisors
Pros:
- Offers extensive resources on the FAFSA process and other financial aid opportunities
- Provides practical aid tools and calculators
- Self-guided platform with useful tools and resources
Cons:
- With limited, tailored support
Check out Edvisors if you’re more comfortable with independent explorations.
Ask Benji
Pros:
- Offers free support services
- Provides 24/7, real-time assistance through an AI-powered chatbot and text messages
- Available in English and Spanish
Cons:
- Limited to Arizona students only
If you’re looking for on-demand, immediate help and you’re in Arizona, Ask Benji is the best.
Alternatives: Free FAFSA Assistance Resources
Look beyond the five featured FAFSA services if you want more information.
- Check out the official federal student aid website (FAFSA.gov). You’ll find step-by-step guidance, a virtual assistant, phone support, and live chat.
- Ask for FAFSA assistance from TRIO, among other educational opportunity centers. State-sponsored financial aid programs can also offer FAFSA assistance. The Cash for College program in California is an example.
- Communicate with your college’s financial aid office and counselors. You may even attend FAFSA workshops if available. Ask relevant questions and guidance, too.
- Consider nonprofits that offer free FAFSA assistance. College Goal Sunday and National College Attainment Network (NCAN) are popular.
- Ask your local community organizations and libraries for free FAFSA workshops and sessions.
- Seek out your high school counselor for guidance, too.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right FAFSA Assistance Service
In conclusion, start with the official sources if you want to know how to get help with FAFSA. But the FAFSA process can be overwhelming, too, especially for first-timers. Changing financial situations or unique financial circumstances are valid reasons, too.
In these cases, seek reliable online FAFSA services. You’ll decrease the risk of errors, submit on time, and maximize your financial aid. Indeed, there’s no shame in seeking professional assistance. Free money for your college education is at stake here, after all.