Aid
unlocked.

Big plans. Clear steps. Learn how financial aid works before you touch the real application.

About 15 minutes · Teens and families · Colorado edition

Practice only. No real names, Social Security numbers, passwords, immigration details or financial records. This tool does not apply for aid or determine eligibility.

01 / KNOW THE MONEY

Not every dollar is the same.

GIFT AID

Grants

Usually based on financial need. Generally do not need repayment, but conditions apply.

GIFT AID

Scholarships

Awards from schools or other organizations. Rules can involve achievements, interests or need. Check renewal requirements.

EARNED AID

Work study

Money earned through an eligible job. An award is not cash handed to you upfront, and a job is not guaranteed.

BORROWED AID

Loans

Borrowed money you generally repay with interest. A loan offer is a choice to consider, not free money.

Reference: Federal Student Aid dictionary

02 / FIND YOUR ROUTE

FAFSA or CASFA?

These are applications, not scholarships. Use official guidance and your school’s financial aid office to choose the right route.

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to apply for federal aid. States and schools also use it. It is free to submit.

Official FAFSA information ↗

Colorado CASFA

CASFA applies for Colorado state and institutional aid, not federal aid. Colorado lists students ineligible for federal aid, undocumented students and some mixed status families among those it serves. FAFSA is required to seek federal aid. Ask your school which route fits your circumstances before choosing.

Colorado’s CASFA guidance ↗

Not sure which route fits? Ask your school privately. Do not share sensitive documents in this lesson or a public chat. Family circumstances can change which steps apply.

03 / PRACTICE THE PROCESS

Help Jordan make the next move.

Jordan is fictional. These choices teach the workflow; this is not a copy of the government application.

Scenario 1 of 50 correct

References: FAFSA student steps · After you submit

04 / READ THE OFFER

A bigger offer is not always a better deal.

Fictional annual example. All figures below are teaching examples, not estimates of your aid.

Total attendance cost$20,000

Grants and scholarships$8,000

Net price before borrowing$12,000

Try accepting a loan: $0

Still to cover this year$12,000

Principal borrowed$0

A loan may cover part of the gap, but it does not reduce the $12,000 net price. Interest and fees are not modeled.

Compare the same time period and include housing, food, books and transportation. Ask which awards renew, what conditions apply and what remains unpaid. Work earnings are not guaranteed upfront funding.

05 / YOUR REAL NEXT STEPS

Get ready. Then use the official form.

This checklist resets when the page reloads. No answers are stored or submitted.

Match your school year: The 2027–28 FAFSA requests 2025 tax information. The 2026–27 FAFSA requests 2024 tax information. For summer enrollment, ask your school which application year it uses. Follow the actual form instructions.

Confirm the award year for when you will attend school. Check school, state and federal deadlines. These deadlines can differ. Check the earliest relevant deadline, including priority dates. Gather the records requested for that form’s tax year and a list of schools. For FAFSA, create your own StudentAid.gov account. Required contributors use their own accounts. Read consent and signature instructions. Never share your account password. After submitting, verify status, review corrections and respond to school requests.

0 of 6 preparation steps checked.

Finishing this checklist is not an application receipt. FAFSA’s Submission Summary is not an aid offer, and the Student Aid Index is not a bill. A school provides its actual aid offer.

If family finances changed or contacting a parent is unsafe or impossible, ask the financial aid office about your situation. Do not invent an answer to get through a form.

Official sources, educator notes and updates

Checked November 14, 2026. Requirements can change. This PHFD educational tool is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Colorado Department of Higher Education and does not guarantee aid.

Facilitator plan: 3 minutes on aid types, 2 on application routes, 5 on Jordan’s choices, 3 comparing offers, and 2 choosing a next step. Ask learners to explain why a loan differs from a scholarship. Keep real applications and records off the shared screen.