Applying for financial aid is a rite of passage for all college-bound students and their families. When you apply for financial aid, each college may have its own requirements and information requests, but every college wants to see your FAFSA. FAFSA, short for Free Application for Student Aid, is a form that all students who want financial aid must complete, said David Slater, co-founder of College Benefits Research Group (CBRG) in Roseland. READ MORE.