How to Pay for College
Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable for many students.
FAFSA Finish Events
FCPS is dedicated to providing our students and families with Financial Aid and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) information. In addition, we have partnered with local colleges and local non-profit organizations to aid FCPS students with FAFSA Finish Events (listed below when scheduled) and financial aid information nights. These events will walk students and their families through creating, completing, and submitting their FAFSA , which is the first step in the applying for Federal and State Aid for college.
Register for a 2025-2026 FAFSA Finish Night
Note: Students and families can register for any of the events and are not limited to the event at their home school. Students and families do not need to register for the Financial Aid Information events. Registration is only required for the FAFSA Finish Events.
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Date
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Location
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Event
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Time
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| 2025 Dates |
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September 30
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Gov. Thomas Johnson High
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Financial Aid Information
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6:15pm-7:15pm
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October 7
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Walkersville High
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Financial Aid Information
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6:00p-7:00pm
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October 22
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Linganore High
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Financial Aid Information FAFSA Finish
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6:30pm-7:30pm
7:00pm-8:30pm
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November 5
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Brunswick High
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Financial Aid Information
FAFSA Finish
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5:00pm-6:00pm
6:00pm-8:00pm
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November 11
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Frederick High
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Financial Aid Information
FAFSA Finish
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5:00pm-6:00pm
6:00pm-8:00pm
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November 12
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Gov. Thomas Johnson High
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FAFSA Finish
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5:30pm-7:30pm
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November 18
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Middletown High
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Financial Aid Information
FAFSA Finish
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6:00pm-7:00pm
7:00pm-9:00pm
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November 20
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Catoctin High
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Financial Aid Information
FAFSA Finish
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5:00pm-6:00pm
6:00pm-8:00pm
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December 3
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Urbana High
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Financial Aid Information
FAFSA Finish
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5:00pm-6:00pm
6:00pm-8:00pm
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December 4
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Oakdale High
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Financial Aid Information
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6:00pm-7:00pm
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December 10
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Tuscarora High
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Financial Aid Information
FAFSA Finish
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5:00pm-6:00pm
6:00pm-8:00pm
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| 2026 Dates |
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January 13
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Oakdale High
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FAFSA Finish
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6:00pm-8:00pm
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Complete Your FAFSA
Get started on your FAFSA now at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
Video Resources
The videos below will open YouTube in a new tab.
Other Resources
FAFSA Resources (StudentAid.gov)
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Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
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Types of Aid
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Forms
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Web Resources
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Fact Sheets
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Booklets and Brochures
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College and University Partners
The partnership with community agencies and local colleges/universities has resulted in increased opportunities to assist students and their families through the Financial Aid process and promote FAFSA and MHEC OneApp completion.
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FCC is instrumental in supporting Frederick County students in completing the FAFSA/MHEC OneApp. They host a FAFSA Finish even, assist FCPS families with FAFSA completion, provide professional learning for FCPS staff, and participate in financial aid and college information nights provided by FCPS schools.
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Hood College has hosted FAFSA Finish events, provides staff to assist families with FAFSA completion and participates in financial aid and college information presentations offered by FCPS schools.
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Mount St. Mary's is influential in supporting Frederick County students in completing the FAFSA/MHEC OneApp. They provide staff to assist families with FAFSA completion, provide professional learning for FCPS School Counselors and participate in financial aid and college information nights offered by FCPS schools.
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Community Partners
Our community partners have been instrumental in hosting FAFSA Finish events, providing supports to our FCPS community and connecting students to a wealth of resources for financial aid and post-secondary options.
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The United Way of Frederick County is a key member of the FAFSA Finish group. The staff plays an important role in advertising and finding funding to support the FAFSA Finish events being offered. United Way staff members have been active participants in numerous events to support families in FAFSA completion.
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The Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in Frederick County now and for future generations. Their dedication to helping FCPS students and families prepare for the financial commitment to college is very appreciated. Learn more about FAFSA Finish Events they host as well as scholarships they offer by clicking on the link above.
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The NAACP works to ensure that every disadvantaged student and student of color graduates ready for college or a career by ensuring access to great teaching, fair discipline, equitable resources, and a challenging curriculum. NAACP and FCPS have partnered to offer FAFSA Finish events to increase supports provided to students.
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The New Horizons program helps overcome the challenges and barriers for youth experiencing homelessness within Frederick County Public Schools, by advocating and effectively connecting them to community services. SHIP has created a FAFSA Mentor program to support seniors experiencing homelessness in FAFSA completion and creating a post-secondary plan.
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The Housing Authority of the City of Frederick values education and helps residents thrive and reach success. The HACF provides educational programs and connects residents to opportunities with community partners. The HACF hosts FAFSA Finish events and encourages FCPS families to participate in FAFSA completion.
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Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc provides supports with the goal of empowering low-income families and immigrants from diverse backgrounds by promoting self-sufficiency, greater social change, education, and legal rights. A collaborative relationship with FCPS has resulted in additional supports and resources for our English Learner students and their families. These supports have been important to support the FAFSA completion and outreach efforts!
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