Events | Featured | StudentsMarch 13, 2026

Half Hour is All That's Needed for FAFSA Aid

Written By: Ian Silvester

The Financial Aid and Veteran Benefits Office at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is hosting a FAFSA event on Monday, March 16, to help current students get a head start on applying for federal aid before the fall semester. 

“We want the 2026-27 FAFSA to be one less thing students have to think about as they approach midterms,” explained Cristina Castorena, assistant director of financial aid client services. “Our office is here to help our students navigate paying for college. That means completing the FAFSA with ease and comfort from their own university.” 

Students can drop in between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday at the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, room 129AB, to work on their application and get help from members of the financial aid and veteran benefits office. Drop-ins must be checked in by 12:30 p.m. 

“It takes only 30 minutes to complete,” Castorena encouraged.  

Those interested in getting a head start on the July 1 priority deadline should bring their laptop, password to their studentaid.gov account, access to their phone or email to retrieve login verification, and their 2024 contributor’s or personal tax returns. Castorena said that even if students forget their taxes, someone from the financial aid and veteran benefits office can get them started. 

Castorena added that when students submit their 2026-27 FAFSA application by the priority deadline, her office can guarantee that their federal aid will be packaged and ready for them on the first day of the fall semester (Aug. 17). Applications can still be completed after the July 1 priority deadline, but there will be a two-to-three-week processing time. Castorena said this can create undue stress. 

Completing the FAFSA application is free and allows students to see their eligibility for grants, such as Pell Grants, and federal student loans.  

“Over 60% of UAFS students receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to eligible students who complete their FAFSA,” Castorena said. “This award is financial aid students typically don’t have to pay back, and the maximum amount awarded to those eligible for 2026-27 is $7,394; the minimum is $740.” 

Castorena said that the financial aid and veteran benefits office is focused on helping students understand the different types of financial aid available and how these resources can support their path to graduation. 

“I always remind students that there are usually four buckets of aid they should investigate: federal (FAFSA), state (ADHE – Arkansas Challenge), institutional (UAFS scholarships), and Foundation scholarships (Lion’s Share). Applying for federal aid should be the very first bucket they apply to,” Castorena said. “Even if a student feels like they may not be eligible, apply anyway; they might be surprised at the results.” 

On April 14, the financial aid and veteran benefits office will host its first-ever event to help UAFS students determine their eligibility for state aid, such as the Arkansas Challenge. Students should bring their laptops to start their application. Castorena said this should take less than 15 minutes to complete, and, for eligible students, could award them $2,000 a year to help pay for school. 

• Tags:
• Financial Aid
• Veteran Benefits
• FAFSA