DebtSmarts + College Goal Wisconsin: partners helping Wisconsin families pay for college with less debt. Why this page is here
Free FAFSA help in Wisconsin
Get free help with the FAFSA.
College Goal Wisconsin hosts free FAFSA completion events at high schools, colleges and community sites across the state, plus online sessions. A trained volunteer sits with you and your family and walks through the form until it's done.
- Free at every event, with no sales pitch
- In person or online, all across Wisconsin
- Spanish and Hmong help at select events
- Fall events include a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship
This season's events have wrapped up. College Goal Wisconsin's next free FAFSA events start in fall . Sign up and we'll let you know as soon as registration opens.
FreeEvery event
15 minAvg. completion
StatewideIn person + online
1-on-1Expert help
How it works
Three steps to a finished FAFSA
The FAFSA is the form that unlocks federal and state grants, work-study and low-interest student loans. Many families leave money on the table because the form feels intimidating. You don't have to do it alone.
01
Find your event
Pick an in-person or online FAFSA completion event near you on the College Goal Wisconsin calendar.
02
Bring your documents
Use the checklist below so you and your family have everything you need on the night.
03
Get free, expert help
Financial aid professionals and trained volunteers guide you through it, question by question.
Why this is on DebtSmarts
Two partners, one goal
DebtSmarts (the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt) and College Goal Wisconsin are partners. We both want Wisconsin students to pay for college with as little debt as possible, so we help at different stages of the same journey.
Before college
College Goal Wisconsin
Free FAFSA help so students can get the grants and aid they qualify for. Grants don't have to be paid back, and every dollar of aid you get is a dollar you may not need to borrow.
During and after college
DebtSmarts
Free, one-on-one student loan help for Wisconsin borrowers, from choosing a repayment plan to Public Service Loan Forgiveness. We're a nonprofit and we never charge for our help.
Before your event
What to bring
Have these ready so a volunteer can help you finish and submit the FAFSA that evening. If any contributors (like a parent) are on your FAFSA, they'll need items 1, 3, 4 and 5 too.
Tip: Set up a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) before the event. The student and the parent each need their own, with a personal email address, not a school email. Create your FSA ID
A dependent student should come with a parent so the FAFSA can be submitted that night. You're welcome to bring your own laptop.
- Your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID)
- Your contributor information
- Your federal income tax return
- Records of child support received
- Records of your assets
- A list of schools you're interested in
Volunteer
Help a family finish the FAFSA
College Goal Wisconsin runs entirely on volunteers: financial aid professionals, school counselors and community members who give an evening to help students across the state. If you'd like to help, we'd love to have you.
~2 hrsPer event
ProvidedTraining
Statewide+ online
Volunteer signups for next fall open closer to the season. Email us now and we'll add you to the list.
In their words
Families across Wisconsin
Super easy process! My volunteer was very helpful!ERIN M.
I'm so grateful this event is offered! Every year I have questions about the FAFSA and the volunteers are always so helpful and knowledgeable. It's a security blanket for our family knowing we have help every year and free of charge!ANGELA G.
Questions
Common questions
Does it really cost nothing?
Yes. Every College Goal Wisconsin event is free, and there's never a sales pitch. The FAFSA itself is also free to file.
What if I'm not sure I'm going to college?
Completing the FAFSA doesn't commit you to attending college, but it keeps your options open. It's the single most important step in getting financial aid, and it takes about 15 minutes on average.
What if my parents can't attend?
You can bring the materials and get started at the event. If something is missing, you can save the FAFSA and finish it with your parents later.
What if my parents can attend but I can't?
Your parents can bring the materials and complete most of the FAFSA at the event. You can finish the rest together later.
Will anyone see my personal information, like family income?
No one will ask to see your personal information. If you need help on a section that includes it, anything a volunteer reviews stays private and is only used to help you complete the FAFSA.
When are the events?
College Goal Wisconsin holds its FAFSA completion events each fall, in person and online. The events calendar always has the latest dates and locations.
Ready to get started?
Don't miss next fall's events
Find a free FAFSA completion event near you and take the first step toward paying for college.
Get on the College Goal Wisconsin list and we'll tell you when free FAFSA events open in fall .
Already have student loans? DebtSmarts offers free, one-on-one help for Wisconsin borrowers. Call 833-589-0750, Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central.
