Applying for FAFSA? These free resources might be able to help

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia students seeking help with financial aid applications can now receive it for free.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) has launched a help desk and a series of free webinars to assist students and families in navigating the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA is a resource that determines whether a student qualifies for financial support for college or a post-secondary institution, and how much they may receive. The FAFSA form typically takes 30 minutes to complete, according to its website.

Virginia ranked 26th nationally in the number of students completing the FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year, with 56.7% of high school seniors applying in 2024, per the release.

To access SCHEV's help desk, Virginia students can text "Hello" to 434-478-4003 and receive answers to their questions from a financial aid expert within 24 business hours. The service is free.

A six-part webinar series, each part one hour long, will also be available for students and address the following topics:

• FAFSA Completion
• Financial Aid for Current College Students
• Scholarship Basics and Tips
• Next Steps After the FAFSA
• Financial Aid Offer Review
• Summer Steps for Financial Aid

Click here to register for the sessions.