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FAFSA Made Simple: Your First Step Toward College Funding

Free Appication for Federal Student Aid FAFSA is shown on the photo using the text

College is full of exciting possibilities — new experiences, new friends, and new opportunities to grow. But let’s be real: figuring out how to pay for college can be one of the toughest parts.

That’s where the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) comes in. This one form can open the door to grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal loans that make your college dream a lot more affordable.

What Exactly Is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is a free form from the U.S. Department of Education that helps schools figure out how much financial aid you can receive. Once you fill it out, colleges use the info you provide to build your personal financial aid package.

Even if you think you might not qualify for much, still fill it out — you could be surprised! Some scholarships and state grants require FAFSA info, even if you don’t get federal aid.

When to Apply

The FAFSA for the 2026–2027 school year is expected to open in October 2025 — and trust us, you don’t want to wait until the last minute.

Some financial aid is handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting early can give you a better shot at getting the most help possible.

What You’ll Need
Before you start, grab these items:
 
  • Your Social Security number (or Alien Registration Number if you’re not a U.S. citizen)
  • Federal income tax returns, W-2s, and records of any untaxed income
  • Bank statements and info about savings or investments
  • Your FSA ID (you’ll create this online to sign the FAFSA electronically)


You can complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov or on the myStudentAid app right from your phone.

Tips to Make FAFSA a Breeze
  • Don’t skip questions! Even if you’re unsure, leaving blanks can delay your application.
  •  Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool — it automatically pulls in your tax info, saving time.
  •  List all your dream schools. You can include up to 20!
  •  Double-check everything before submitting. Small mistakes can slow things down.
 
After You Hit Submit
You’ll get a Student Aid Report (SAR) that summarizes what you entered. Look it over to make sure everything’s correct. Then your colleges will use that info to figure out your financial aid packages and send you their offers.
 
That’s it — you’ve just taken a huge step toward funding your education!
 
Apply for Maple Federal Credit Union’s 2026 Scholarships!

Here at Maple Federal Credit Union, we love celebrating students who are reaching for their goals. That’s why we’re offering the Maple Scholarship Program — designed to help you focus more on your studies and less on the cost of college.

Scholarship Awards
  • One Outstanding Scholar will earn a $5,000 scholarship, chosen by our scholarship committee.
  • Two additional students will each receive $2,500 scholarships, selected by random draw.
 
Who Can Apply
To be eligible, you must:
 
  • Be graduating from high school in spring 2026, or
  • Be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college, university, or technical school.
  • Plan to attend full-time undergraduate studies in fall 2026.
 
Take Charge of Your Future
Filling out your FAFSA is the first step toward finding financial aid — and applying for the Maple Scholarship is another great way to lighten the load.
 
So, get ready to make your mark, plan ahead, and keep an eye on Maple’s website and social media for scholarship application details and deadlines!
 
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