Free FAFSA help
A real person, every step of the way.
Sit down with a real person who walks you through the form line by line, so you claim every dollar.
Our free FAFSA help comes from a college funding specialist, one on one or at a workshop.
It is for students and families across Northern Virginia. First generation students are especially welcome.
Free FAFSA helpOne on one or at a workshop
Common mistakes
Small mistakes. Big money lost.
Most families lose aid to simple errors, not to income. These are the FAFSA mistakes we catch most.
What are the most common FAFSA mistakes?
The costliest FAFSA mistakes are missing your college's priority deadline, skipping contributor consent, listing the wrong parent and leaving schools off your list. Each one can shrink or delay your aid. A second set of eyes catches them before you submit.
- Filing after your college's priority date
- A parent who never gives consent
- Listing the wrong parent after a divorce
- Leaving a college off your school list
- Counting your home or retirement savings
- Never checking your Submission Summary
- Assuming you earn too much to file
A second set of eyes
Every one of these is easy to avoid with free FAFSA help before you press submit. New to the form? Start with what the FAFSA is.
How we help
From your first login to your aid offer.
Our free FAFSA help does not stop when the form is filed.
What does free FAFSA help include?
Everything. We help you set up your FSA ID, gather documents, complete the FAFSA line by line and catch mistakes. Then we help you read, compare and appeal your financial aid offers. It is full college funding support at no cost.
Set up
FSA IDs for the student and parents, plus a simple checklist so you arrive ready.
File
We go through the form with you line by line until it is submitted.
Review
We check your FAFSA Submission Summary and fix errors fast.
Compare and appeal
We line up your financial aid offers and help you ask for more when your situation calls for it.
Two ways to get help
Private or in a group. Both are free.
Pick the format that fits your family. Either way, our free FAFSA help ends with your FAFSA filed.
Private session
Time with a specialist for your family only. Best for divorce, self employment, a job loss or other complex cases.
FreeFAFSA workshop
A FAFSA workshop lets you file alongside other families with trained helpers in the room, so no one gets stuck alone.
FreeWorkshop dates
We share each FAFSA workshop date and location as it is set. Contact us to reserve a spot or ask about meeting options.
No one gets stuck aloneTrained helpers in the room
Your specialist
An expert in your corner. Without the usual fee.
Private consultants charge for this. Our college funding specialist is part of our free FAFSA help.
What does a college funding specialist do?
A college funding specialist helps you file the FAFSA correctly, understand your award letters, compare offers and appeal for more aid when your situation calls for it. They know the mistakes that cost money and the moves that save it.
"This is our first time."
Most families we help are new to the FAFSA. We explain every question in plain words.
"Our situation is complicated."
Divorce, self employment or a recent job loss. This is where a specialist helps most.
"The offer won't work for us."
We help you compare offers and write an appeal when your situation calls for it.
"We already filed."
We can review your Submission Summary and fix errors before your aid is set.
What to bring
Four things. Have them ready.
Bring what you have to your free FAFSA help session. Missing something? Come anyway.
Social Security numbers
For the student and parents, if you have them.
Tax information
Recent federal tax information for the household.
Login details
FSA IDs, or an email and phone number for each person to set one up.
Your college list
The schools you are thinking about, even if the list is long.
Missing something?Come anyway
Common questions
Before you book, here are the answers.
Is FAFSA help really free?
Yes. Our free FAFSA help covers everything from your first form to your financial aid offers.
Can we meet virtually?
Reach out and we will tell you which meeting options are available for your free FAFSA help session.
Do you help with Virginia state aid too?
Yes. The FAFSA is how most students apply for Virginia state aid. Each college sets its own deadline, so we help you track them.
What is a FAFSA workshop?
A free group session where families file the FAFSA with trained helpers on hand to answer questions.
Can a specialist really increase my aid?
Often, yes. Filing correctly, appealing when appropriate and finding aid you missed can all add up.
Do you help families outside Northern Virginia?
Yes. Our free FAFSA help is open to families in Northern Virginia and other states.
Free FAFSA help
Do not leave aid unclaimed. Book your free session now.
Free for Northern Virginia families and families in other states.
About EAESSI
Evelyn Ancrum Education Support Systems (EAESSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Spotsylvania, Virginia. We help uninsured women get breast screenings and help Virginia students pay for college.
General educational information
This page describes EAESSI's free FAFSA help. It is general information and is not tax or legal advice.