Tips and tricks to financial aid and the FAFSA form

With the cost of attending college skyrocketing, Raymond James and Franklin Templeton have partnered to provide a two-part video series breaking down the financial aid process. Raymond James Senior Manager and Product Specialist for 529 Plans – Mutual Fund & ETF Research, Travis Brickfield, is joined by Franklin Templeton Director of Wealth Planning, Bill Cass. Together, they cover everything families need to know when applying for financial aid. Throughout the series, they discuss tips and tricks for applying for financial aid and scholarships as well as an in-depth look into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, including recent changes that have occurred to the form this year. 

Throughout the series, they discuss tips and tricks for applying for financial aid and scholarships as well as an in-depth look into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, including recent changes that have occurred to the form this year.

Please note that these videos were filmed prior to the following announcement by the Department of Education in August 2024.

The U.S. Department of Education announced a new phased rollout for the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Starting October 1, 2024, the form will be available for testing with a limited group of students and institutions, expanding gradually to more participants leading up to the full release to all students on December 1, 2024. This phased approach aims to identify and resolve system errors early, ensuring a smoother experience for all users. The changes come after feedback from students, families, and educational institutions, and are part of broader efforts to improve the FAFSA process following challenges in the previous cycle.