Paying for college or technical school can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to figure it out alone. The Granger High School Counseling Center is here to help students and families complete the FAFSA, understand financial aid options, and take the next step toward college, technical training, or career preparation.
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, helps students apply for money for college, technical college, and career training programs. Students may qualify for grants, work-study, scholarships, and student loans.
Students planning to attend college or technical school during the 2026–2027 school year should complete the 2027-2028 FAFSA. The FAFSA is completed online at FAFSA.gov and is always free. The 2027-2028 FAFSA is for students attending school between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028. Federal Student Aid recommends submitting as early as possible because state and college deadlines may be earlier. (Federal Student Aid)
FAFSA Help Nights at Granger
Students and families are invited to attend a FAFSA help event at Granger High School. Bring the required information listed below so we can help you complete the FAFSA.
| Date | Time | Who Should Attend |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 4:00–7:00 PM | Seniors and families needing FAFSA help |
| Friday, November 13, 2026 | During the school day | Seniors who sign up or are invited for FAFSA support |
| Thursday, March 18, 2027 | 4:00–7:00 PM | Final spring FAFSA support night |
| Additional dates | TBA | More dates will be published during the 2026–2027 school year |
Important: Students and parents should create their StudentAid.gov accounts before attending, if possible.
Start Here
1. Create Your StudentAid.gov Account
Both the student and required parent contributor should create their own StudentAid.gov account.
Use this link: Create a StudentAid.gov Account (LINK)
A StudentAid.gov account is used to log in, sign the FAFSA electronically, and access federal student aid information. (Federal Student Aid)
Video Tutorial
Add this video under the section:
How To Create a StudentAid.gov Account (VIDEO LINK)
What You Need Before You Start
Before completing the FAFSA, students and parents should gather:
| Student Needs | Parent/Contributor Needs |
|---|---|
| StudentAid.gov account | Parent StudentAid.gov account |
| Social Security number, if applicable | Social Security number, if applicable |
| Personal email address | Personal email address |
| Date of birth | Date of birth |
| List of colleges or technical schools | 2025 tax information, if required |
| Basic income and asset information | Consent to transfer federal tax information |
Federal Student Aid explains that students should prepare documents ahead of time and understand who counts as a FAFSA contributor before starting the form. (Federal Student Aid (LINK))
Who Is a Contributor?
A contributor is someone required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA. This may include:
| Student Situation | Contributor Usually Needed |
|---|---|
| Dependent student | Parent or parents |
| Married student | Spouse |
| Independent student | Usually only the student |
| Parent remarried | Parent and possibly stepparent |
Contributors must log in with their own StudentAid.gov account and complete their section of the FAFSA. Federal Student Aid notes that parent contributors without a Social Security number can still create a StudentAid.gov account and complete their portion online. (Federal Student Aid)
Video Tutorial
Add this video under the section:
Understand and Prepare FAFSA Contributors
Complete the FAFSA
When you are ready, complete the FAFSA here:
Complete the FAFSA (LINK)
Students should select the 2027-2026 FAFSA if they plan to attend college, technical college, or career training during the 2027-2028 academic year.
Video Tutorial
Add one of these videos:
Recommended Utah resource:
2026–2027 FAFSA Full Walkthrough — Utah System of Higher Education
Federal Student Aid playlist:
Completing the FAFSA Form Playlist
USHE also provides FAFSA help resources, including a 2026–2027 FAFSA walkthrough video, FAFSA checklist, parent steps, and student support resources. (Utah System of Higher Education)
After You Submit
After submitting the FAFSA:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Check your email | Watch for FAFSA confirmation or requests for corrections |
| Log back in | Check your FAFSA status at StudentAid.gov |
| Review your colleges | Make sure your colleges or technical schools were added |
| Watch for financial aid offers | Colleges send aid offers after they receive and process FAFSA information |
| Make corrections if needed | Use StudentAid.gov to review and correct your FAFSA |
Use this link if corrections are needed:
Review and Correct Your FAFSA
All required contributors must sign the FAFSA. If a signature or contributor section is missing, the FAFSA may not be fully processed. (Federal Student Aid)
Why FAFSA Matters
Completing the FAFSA may help students qualify for:
| Type of Aid | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Grants | Money that usually does not need to be paid back |
| Work-study | Part-time work opportunities for eligible students |
| Scholarships | Some colleges use FAFSA information for scholarship eligibility |
| Student loans | Borrowed money that must be repaid |
| State aid | Utah aid programs may require FAFSA completion |
The Utah Promise Grant, for example, requires students to complete the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need. (Utah System of Higher Education)
FAFSA Help for Parents
Parents play an important role in the FAFSA process. Many students cannot complete the FAFSA without parent contributor information.
Helpful parent resource:
Completing the FAFSA Form: Steps for Parents
Parent reminder:
Please do not use the student’s account to complete the parent section. Parents must use their own StudentAid.gov account.
Helpful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Complete the FAFSA | FAFSA.gov |
| Create StudentAid.gov Account | Create Account |
| FAFSA Checklist | What You Need for the FAFSA |
| Parent FAFSA Steps | FAFSA Steps for Parents |
| Student FAFSA Steps | FAFSA Steps for Students |
| Review or Correct FAFSA | Review and Correct FAFSA |
| Utah FAFSA Help | USHE FAFSA Help |
| FAFSA Walkthrough Video | 2026–2027 FAFSA Walkthrough |
Spanish support may be available at FAFSA events. Families are welcome to attend together so students and parents can complete the FAFSA with support.
Puede haber apoyo en español durante los eventos de FAFSA. Las familias están invitadas a asistir juntas para recibir ayuda con el proceso.
