Counseling Corner: Addison Trail Guidance Department shares important details about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The Addison Trail Guidance Department would like to remind seniors who completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) they should receive financial aid award letters between now and April.

The award letter will include information about possible grant, loan, work-study and scholarship monies received from each institution – with an estimated cost to attend the institution. Students will only receive financial aid award letters from colleges they listed on the FAFSA to which they have been accepted.

The Guidance Department encourages students to double check their FAFSA application and ensure it was successfully processed. Students who have not completed the FAFSA can still do so and should fill it out as soon as possible to be eligible for maximum financial aid. Students who are ineligible to complete the FAFSA might be able to complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.

The financial aid award letter might be sent in a variety of manners, depending on the college. For example, some colleges upload the letter to the student’s portal, while others might send it through the mail or by e-mail. For this reason, the Guidance Department recommends seniors regularly check their mail, e-mail, student portals, text messages and voice messages.

After students receive their financial aid award letters, they can start making decisions about which colleges are a good financial fit. If students have specific questions, they can contact that college’s Financial Aid Office. The Addison Trail Guidance Department also is here to help with this process. Students and parents/guardians can contact Guidance Counselor Dana Marine at 630-628-3373 or dmarine@dupage88.net for more information.