FAFSA P.U.S.H.
PREPARING UNDERGRADUATES SUCCESSFULLY
FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
This summer, the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable (PCPR) and its local, state and national partners are committed to enhancing college access by increasing FAFSA completion rates among 2024 high school graduates. The 2024-2025 FAFSA season has faced challenges with delays and complications impacting completions nationwide.
The FAFSA P.U.S.H. (Preparing Undergraduates Successfully For Higher Education) initiative focuses on assisting students in and around the Greater Philadelphia Region who are at various stages of the completion process, especially those who have started but not finished their FAFSA applications.
With the help of our partners, we will provide workshops, train advisors, support families, and reach out to the community. Our goal is to make it easier for students to get financial aid by having more advisors available, simplifying the completion process, and collaborating with other partners to make FAFSA completion a reality.
Join us in making college dreams possible for more students in the Greater Philadelphia Region!
FOR STUDENTS
Get the Help You Need to Complete Your FAFSA!
This summer, we’re here to support you through every step of your FAFSA application. Schedule a meeting with one of our advisors, text us your questions, or use our online assistant to get the answers you need. Don’t let financial aid obstacles stand in your way—join us at our in-person events or sign up for an online one-on-one session to make your college dreams a reality.
FOR PARENTS
We’re Here to Help Your Student Succeed!
Navigating the FAFSA process can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. We can work with you and your student to answer all your questions and ensure the application is completed correctly. Schedule a meeting, text us for quick answers, or use our online assistant. Take advantage of our in-person events and online one-on-one sessions to get the support you need.
FOR PROFESSIONALS
Enhance Your Skills with Our Professional Development Workshops!
Join us this summer to gain the knowledge and tools you need to help students complete their FAFSA applications successfully. Check out our professional development workshops, schedule a meeting with our experts, or text us for quick advice. Our in-person events and online sessions provide the training you need to support your students effectively.
FOR PARTNERS
Collaborate with Us to Boost FAFSA Completion Rates!
We’re excited to work with our local, state, and national partners to make a real impact this FAFSA season. Schedule a meeting to discuss collaboration opportunities, text us your questions, or use our online assistant for quick support. Together, we can host workshops, train advisors, and engage the community to ensure more students receive the financial aid they need.
LEARN ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS, RESOURCES & FAFSA HELP FROM OUR PARTNERS
Mission
The mission of the Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable is to continuously enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of college access and success professionals and other stakeholders who help students matriculate and graduate from institutions of higher education.
Vision
The Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable will be the premiere network of professionals who use college access and success resources, training, and tools to enhance the opportunity for individuals to adapt to and thrive in a global and increasingly complex society.
Get Ready for FAFSA Success This Summer!
Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable FAFSA Completion Training
Conducted by The Office of Federal Student Aid Conducted by The Office of Federal Student Aid
Training Available for Beginner or Expert-Level FAFSA Professionals.
You can choose Session I, Session II, or both.
Are you helping students and families with the FAFSA this summer?
Join us for essential FAFSA Completion Training!
Why Attend? The 2024-2025 FAFSA season has faced challenges with delays and complications impacting completions nationwide. To ensure Philadelphia students have the best chance at financial aid and college enrollment this Fall, numerous organizations, including PCPR, are stepping up to assist families in completing this crucial step.
What to Expect:
- Comprehensive training led by experts from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Insights into the latest FAFSA updates and procedures.
- Valuable skills to support aspiring college freshmen effectively.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, July 2, 2024
- Session I:
- Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Topic: FAFSA Basics
- Description: Ideal for beginners or those with limited FAFSA completion experience.
- Session II:
- Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Topic: FAFSA Advanced
- Description: Perfect for those who have some FAFSA completion experience but need answers to complex questions.
Location: Temple University (Note: Building Information will be sent in reminder email)
Coming Soon!
OUR FRIENDS & PARTNERS
Philly Goes to College
From help with scholarships and financial aid, preparing for the SATs and filling out forms like the FAFSA, to finding and applying to the right school or college, we can be your guide. Our services are citywide and always free.
PhillyGoes2College is Philadelphia Education Fund’s online college access solution. Through this online platform, Philadelphia-area current and prospective students can gain access to critical information on the college and career going process.
Planning for College
Plotting Your Next Move
Knowing what your options are empowers you to find the option that works best for you. Whether you are a middle or high school student or a returning adult, any time is the right time to identify and pursue your college fit.
Applying for College
Stand Out From The Crowd
Use these tips and resources to learn about the college admissions process and to show colleges who you really are by crafting an essay, resume, and application that pack a punch.
PDF Toolbox
Information and resources that you can easily download, print, copy and disperse!
- Applying to College
What goes in the application? How do I apply online? What is a resume? Find your answers here! - Admissions Essay Tips
Check out the dos, don’ts and commonly made mistakes of essay writing.
Paying for College
Invest In Your Future
Understand what resources are available to help you pay for and reduce the cost of college. For current local and national scholarship opportunities, see our regularly updated News section.
U*aspire
Our Mission
Improve the economic mobility of underrepresented students by creating financial solutions to diverse postsecondary pathways.
The Need:
Students from underrepresented communities face significant structural and financial barriers to pursuing postsecondary education. These challenges result in reduced access to educational and employment opportunities, increased debt, and limited prospects for achieving economic mobility.
Financial Aid Resources
Find ways to pay for college and manage costs to stay on your postsecondary path.
- College Cost Calculator
- Webinars for Counselors
- Virtual Events for Students
- & More
Learn More
Summer Steps for Financial Aid TRAINING
May 6, 2025
FAFSA Follow-up TRAINING
Feb. 5, 2025
Financial Aid Offer Review TRAINING
Feb. 5, 2025
PA Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) oversees 500 public school districts, more than 170 public charter schools, public cyber charter schools, Career and Technology Centers/Vocational Technical schools, public Intermediate Units, the education of youth in State Juvenile Correctional Institutions, Head Starts and publicly funded preschools, and community colleges.
PDE also oversees policies related to public, academic, and school libraries, and the State Library of Pennsylvania.
PA FAFSA Go!
PA FAFSA Go! is a cross-collaborative campaign to bring together professionals who are supporting high school seniors and postsecondary students in completing their first FAFSA or their renewal FAFSA for 2024-25.
The high school class of 2023 left an estimated $4 billion in Pell grants on the table by not completing the FAFSA1 – these are dollars that students do not have to repay. Learners must file a FAFSA as well, in order to apply and qualify for a Pennsylvania State Grant.
The PA Department of Education (PDE) teamed up with Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), PA Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA), PA Association of College Admission Counselors (PACAC) and PA School Counselors Association (PSCA), for the PA FAFSA Go! campaign – we want students to go out and complete their 2024-25 FAFSA now!
The PA FAFSA Go! partners are committed to providing support for FAFSA completion events, directing students to resources at their high school or postsecondary institution, providing a toolkit of resources for schools, students, and their families, and overall, ensuring that our Pennsylvania learners are not missing any of the free dollars for which they qualify.
We also invite you to prioritize FAFSA completion and become a FOCUS on FAFSA Partner. Your commitment will provide you with additional contacts and information to ensure our Pennsylvania learners do not leave free money on the table.
PHEAA
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1963 to provide affordable access to higher education for PA students and families. Through the years, PHEAA has evolved into one of the nation’s leading providers of student financial aid services, including the Commonwealth’s state-based student loan program—PA Forward. PHEAA also serves millions of students through guaranty, servicing, financial aid processing, and other programs.
PHEAA’s earnings are used to support the Agency’s public service mission and to pay operating costs, including the administration of the PA State Grant Program and other state-funded student aid programs. This contribution from PHEAA saves the Commonwealth millions of dollars each year. PHEAA continues to devote energy, resources, and imagination to developing innovative ways to ease the financial burden of higher education for students, families, schools, and taxpayers.
PHEAA conducts student loan servicing operations nationally as American Education Services (AES).
- 🎥 Is My Parent a Contributor?
- 🎥 Who Is a Contributor on the 2024-25 FAFSA?
- 🎥 Prepare Your Contributors
- 🎥 What’s Changed for the 2024-25 FAFSA?
- 🎥 Update on Access to the 2024-25 FAFSA Form for Individuals Without a Social Security Number—Spanish
- 🎥 FAFSA Completion & Corrections for Students
- 🎥 FAFSA Corrections & Completion for Parents
- 🎥 FAFSA Completion & Corrections for Parents—Spanish
- 🎥 FAFSA Completion & Corrections: Adding Schools
- 🎥 How to Correct and Add Colleges and Universities to Your FAFSA
- 🎥 How to Correct and Add Colleges and Universities to Your FAFSA—Spanish
- 🎥 How to Correct and Add Signatures and Contributor Information to Your FAFSA
- 🎥 How to Correct and Add Signatures and Contributor Information to Your FAFSA—Spanish
- 🎥 How to Correct and Submit the Signature in the New FAFSA Form: For Students and Contributors
- 🎥 How to Correct and Submit the Signature in the New FAFSA Form: For Students and Contributors—Spanish
➡️ PREPARE
Keep your stress level low—know your deadlines, gather your documents, and get organized. You can also register for one of our FAFSA webinars.
➡️ APPLY OR RENEW
Fill out the FAFSA once and simply update it every year that you need aid. The fastest, easiest way to apply or renew is online.
➡️ AFTER YOU APPLY OR RENEW
Find out what you can expect after you apply or renew your FAFSA.
➡️ FAFSA FAQ
Find answers to some common questions about the FAFSA.
FEDERAL STUDENT AID
Who We Are
FSA, an office of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At FSA, our more than 1,400 employees help make postsecondary education possible for more than 9.7 million students each year.
What We Do
FSA is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grant, work-study, and loan funds to students attending college or career school.
What is the FAFSA® form?
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
You must apply for aid every year, but with the right information in hand, it’s easy.
