Anonymous wrote:Hi there- I am a private college counselor and I recommend these free workshops to all of my clients: http://www.collegeaccessfairfax.org/workshop_schedule.html This is such a great, under-utilized service. You don't have to live in Fairfax County, either. Just make sure to register ASAP!

thanks for this tip!

The biggest deal is to get it in sooner rather than later- it's first come first served and money at schools does run out.

First step is registering the parent (must be the parent, not you) for a pin number. Student must also register for a pin number. This is the electronic signature. You need an email address, a social security number and a date of birth for the pin. It takes 3-5 days for the pin to be registered. You pick the pin number. It's OK to pick the same pin number for both the kid and the mom, but you need two different email addresses.

Do the pin first. Here is the site to set up your pin number
http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp

The FAFSA only takes about 10 minutes to fill out if there are limited assets. It's really not that hard. All you will need is a recent tax 1040 form from last year. Estimates are fine.

Here is the site to start the FAFSA
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

You will also want a list of up to 10 schools that she is applying to (or hopes to get in to.) Each school has a federal ID number. They will send your EFC (expected family contribution) to each of the schools you select for free. You can find the pin numbers as part of the process for filling out the form.

It's really just step-by-step and once you have the pin, the taxes, and the name of the schools you are all set. They walk you through it, piece of cake.

Signed- A mom of a senior and I didn't go to college either. It's all good.

You can go

Hi there- I am a private college counselor and I recommend these free workshops to all of my clients: http://www.collegeaccessfairfax.org/workshop_schedule.html This is such a great, under-utilized service. You don't have to live in Fairfax County, either. Just make sure to register ASAP!

The guidance counselor at her school may be able to help with parts of it. The daughter will need copies of tax returns as a starting point.

A friend has a daughter who is a senior in high school. My friend is a permant US resident - but did not graduate High School.

Filing out forms like this are overwhelming for her. My children are much younger.

Are there any good resources to help me help this family?

Thanks so much for any direction you can provide.