Free Application for Federal Student Aid also known as FASFA is an application that the federal government uses to evaluate a student’s financial status to know the loans and grants he/she can qualify for. 

FAFSA for the school year 2022-23 is currently open for students to fill out. It is a wonderful opportunity that many do not have access to. To be eligible, you must be a degree seeking student, and you must be an eligible citizen 

Filling out the FASFA application can be difficult, especially for students and/or parents who are filling out the application for the first time. The good news is that Northern Essex Community College offers help. 

One person a student can get into contact with is Erika Callahan who is a coordinator of financial aid. Callahan has been at NECC for almost nine years. She has also been the coordinator for almost two years and previously was a senior financial aid counselor. 

For the students out there struggling to fill out the application Callahan said “We are offering some virtual and in person FAFSA workshops in March and April so keep an eye on your student email account for more information. In addition, students all have an assigned financial aid counselor that they can reach out to if they have any questions and/or concerns.” 

Callahan also advises students to apply for FASFA as early as possible. The earlier the application is submitted, students then have a bigger period to plan out the cost of the remaining bill. 

Another key fact about FAFSA is that the application opens in October and the Massachusetts priority deadline is May 1. This gives students seven months to complete the FAFSA in a timely manner for the upcoming academic year 

Students can apply at studentaid.gov.