Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

More than 175 events and activities to offer free assistance in Missouri

Missouri students and families can receive free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at 178 FAFSA Frenzy events this year. Events will be held Oct. 1, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2020, at locations across the state.

Filing a FAFSA is the first step students must take to apply for most forms of college financial aid. Financial aid professionals, high school counselors, and other volunteers provide free assistance and answer questions during FAFSA Frenzy events.

“FAFSA Frenzy lets students and families know they’re not alone in overcoming the barriers associated with applying for student aid,” said Zora Mulligan, commissioner of higher education. “With free assistance through these events and activities, students complete an important part of the college-planning process and can make more informed decisions about where they want to attend.”

Students can receive help at any public FAFSA Frenzy event, no matter where they live, go to school, or plan to attend college. The public events – held at high schools, college campuses and community facilities – are open to all high school seniors, current college students, and adults interested in attending college.

The 2020-21 FAFSA became available Oct. 1, 2019. Missouri students attending a FAFSA Frenzy event can apply online for one of twenty $500 Journey to College Book Scholarships through Scholarship Central at https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/opportunities/2991.

A list of public FAFSA Frenzy sites can be viewed at journeytocollege.mo.gov/pay/file-a-fafsa/fafsa-frenzy/public-fafsa-frenzy-events.

In addition to the public FAFSA Frenzy events, more than 100 Missouri high schools are hosting private FAFSA Frenzy events to assist their students.

Students should submit a FAFSA every year they plan to attend college. The FAFSA is the primary form used to determine eligibility for most types of federal and state financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study, as well as financial assistance offered by colleges and universities.

When attending an event, FAFSA Frenzy participants should bring:

• 2018 W-2 forms

• Copies of their 2018 tax forms

• Social Security number

• Student and parent FSA IDs (Students and parents should apply for separate FSA ID usernames and passwords at https://fsaid.ed.gov before attending a FAFSA Frenzy event.) 

FAFSA Frenzy is sponsored annually by the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, in partnership with the Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the National College Access Network.

Volunteers have assisted more than 25,000 Missouri students since FAFSA completion events began in 2004. Anyone with FAFSA knowledge that is interested in assisting at a FAFSA Frenzy event this year should visit dhe.mo.gov/ppc/fafsafrenzy.php.

For more information about the FAFSA Frenzy program, visit journeytocollege.mo.gov/fafsa-frenzy.

About the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development: The department works to empower Missourians with the skills and education needed for success. More information about MDHEWD can be found at https://dhewd.mo.gov or on Facebook and Twitter @MoDHEWD.