FAFSA Connecticut
The one-stop shop for college access events: complete your FAFSA, learn about financial aid and scholarships, get support with your college application and more.
About FAFSA Connecticut
FAFSA Connecticut (FAFSACT), administered by New Haven Promise, is the one-stop shop for college access events. It began as a multi-agency initiative designed to raise the number of New Haven students applying for federal aid for college. In time, the effort was expanded to students throughout New Haven County and now throughout the State of Connecticut. In 2020, students from more than 60 cities signed up to participate in the program’s virtual FAFSA workshops. In 2021, the partnership broadened further with the Connecticut College Bound partners — the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), the College Board, New Haven Promise, the Connecticut Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAPFAA), the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC), the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) and the University of Connecticut.
FAFSACT Events
11/20/24 FAFSA Workshop with Quinnipiac University
12/4/24 FAFSA Workshop with Albertus Magnus College
12/10/24 FAFSA Workshop with University of New Haven
12/17/24 FAFSA Workshop with University of Bridgeport
01/29/25 FAFSA Workshop with Mitchell College
02/10/25 Roadmap to College with ECMC
02/20/25 FAFSA Workshop with Albertus Magnus College
03/04/25 FAFSA Workshop with Morgan State University
03/13/25 Financial Aid Offers (Reading the Sticker Price) with ECMC
03/20/25 FAFSA Workshop with University of New Haven
12/4/24 FAFSA Workshop with Albertus Magnus College
12/10/24 FAFSA Workshop with University of New Haven
12/17/24 FAFSA Workshop with University of Bridgeport
01/29/25 FAFSA Workshop with Mitchell College
02/10/25 Roadmap to College with ECMC
02/20/25 FAFSA Workshop with Albertus Magnus College
03/04/25 FAFSA Workshop with Morgan State University
03/13/25 Financial Aid Offers (Reading the Sticker Price) with ECMC
03/20/25 FAFSA Workshop with University of New Haven
Why FAFSA?
- Completing FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the VERY FIRST STEP toward turning your college dreams into reality!
- FAFSA is overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation, dispersing about $114.1 billion every year in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds to more than 9.7 million students paying for college.
- Approximately 75% of New Haven Promise Scholars qualify for need-based federal grants, including Pell Grants that provide up to $7,395 per year (as of 2024), along with additional support from Federal Supplementary Grants.
- Colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for grants, scholarships, and other financial aid resources provided or managed by the college.
- Completing FAFSA is required for all New Haven Promise Scholars except for those unable to do so. Promise needs your FAFSA to calculate your scholarship amount.
- There is no income threshold to submit FAFSA. Even students from higher-income families may qualify for low-interest loans or work-study.
CT Students who are not citizens can apply for institutional aid through the Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS). Visit the financial aid office at your college and ask for the application of undocumented student aid. Resources and support are also available through CT Students for a Dream.
Applying FAFSA early increases the chances of receiving aid, as some funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to Apply for FAFSA?
Below are the brief steps of filling out the FAFSA form. Learn more at Federal Student Aid.
1. Create an FSA ID
- Visit here to create a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID).
- Every contributor—you, your parent(s) etc. who’s required to provide information on the FAFSA form—needs a separate FSA ID.
- Contributors without an SSN can create an FSA ID too.
2. Gather Required Documents
You might need the following information or documents as you fill out FAFSA.
- Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number (if not a U.S. citizen).
- Federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other financial records.
- Bank statements and records of investments.
- FSA ID for both the student and a parent.
3. Complete the FAFSA Online
- Go to here and log in with the FSA ID.
- Select the correct FAFSA year, the school year for which you are attending college and applying for financial aid.
- Enter personal and financial information. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import tax information directly.
- Add the colleges or universities you’re interested in attending. They will receive your FAFSA data to determine your financial aid package.
- Invite your parent(s) as a contributor(s), so they can complete and sign the parent section.
4. Sign and Submit
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Sign electronically with your FSA ID and submit.
- After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Keep it for your records.
- Watch for your Student Aid Report (SAR), which summarizes your FAFSA. Make corrections if needed.