A student sits at a computer, looking at a federal financial aid website.
Credit: College Now Greater Cleveland

It’s FAFSA season. 

The Free Application for Student Financial Aid is open earlier than ever. 

Completing this form is the first step in helping students potentially receive state and federal money to put towards their post-high school education. That includes awards such as the Pell Grant, or federal support earmarked for students with the biggest financial needs that doesn’t need to be repaid.

It’s the second year in a row where education leaders say the application can be completed in 15 minutes or less. 

Still, Ohio’s most recent FAFSA completion rates lagged behind much of the country. Only 56.9% of the state’s high school class of 2026 submitted an application, compared to 64.4% of their peers nationwide. 

High school guidance counselors and college financial aid offices can be good starting points for students and families wanting assistance in submitting an application. 

In addition to those options, here are several nonprofit organizations across Ohio offering free application help this fall: 

Central Ohio:

  • I Know I Can offers support to high school students in public school districts in Columbus, South Western and Whitehall. Here’s a list of in-person workshops the group is hosting in October and November.
  • The Muskingum County Community Foundation offers virtual assistance for FAFSA help. Make an appointment here. 

Northeast Ohio:

  • College Now of Greater Cleveland is hosting FAFSA completion events at public libraries across Cuyahoga and Summit counties in October. Check out a list of dates and locations here. 
  • LEAF partners with two dozen high schools in Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Portage counties. The group is hosting an online information session on Nov. 2. Residents can register here.

Northwest Ohio: 

  • Toledo Tomorrow offers assistance to students and families across the region. Reach out to them through this online contact form. 

Southwestern Ohio: 

  • The Cincinnati Youth Collaborative supports high school students in 14 counties. Make a one-on-one online appointment with the group’s regional FAFSA manager online here. 
  • Sinclair Community College in Dayton offers FAFSA workshops for prospective, new and returning students. Register online here. 

Higher Education Reporter
I look at who is getting to and through Ohio's colleges, along with what challenges and supports they encounter along the way. How that happens -- and how universities wield their power during that process -- impacts all Ohio residents as well as our collective future. I am a first-generation college graduate reporting for Signal in partnership with the national nonprofit news organization Open Campus.