Can You Hire Someone to Help with FAFSA? What to Know About Financial Aid Consulting Services
by collegebenestg | Jan 30, 2026 | Financial aid
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the FAFSA, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of New Jersey families face the same confusing forms, conflicting information, and high-stakes decisions—wondering if they’re doing it right or leaving money on the table.
The good news: Yes, you can hire someone to help. Financial aid consulting services exist specifically to guide families through FAFSA and beyond—offering clarity, compliance, and confidence. At College Benefits Research Group (CBRG), we specialize in helping families understand their full financial aid picture and legally maximize what they’re eligible to receive.
Here’s what you need to know about hiring help with FAFSA—and how CBRG makes the process easier, more accurate, and more effective.
Why Families Are Seeking Help with FAFSA in 2026
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has long been a source of stress for families, but recent changes in 2024-25 have made it even more confusing for many:
For families already trying to juggle college visits, applications, and deadlines, understanding these nuances can be daunting.
Additionally, many families wrongly assume that their income is too high to qualify for aid—so they don’t complete the FAFSA at all. But skipping the FAFSA means missing out on:
- Federal grants and subsidized loans
- State programs like NJ TAG and EOF
- Institutional scholarships and need-based discounts from colleges
Hiring a financial aid consultant helps ensure that you’re not making assumptions that could cost you thousands.
Does FAFSA Usually Accept Appeals?
Ready for a clear, personalized college plan?
What Are Financial Aid Consulting Services?
Financial aid consulting services are designed to help families navigate every step of the financial aid process—not just filling out forms but understanding how aid works and how to get the most out of it.
Here’s what a qualified consultant typically does:
- Accurately complete the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and other required documents
- Advise on how to report income, assets, and household structure
- Help you understand aid formulas at public and private colleges
- Prepare for verification or appeals if selected
At CBRG, financial aid is fully integrated into our college planning model. We don’t treat it as a separate service—it’s central to our mission of helping families reduce out-of-pocket costs.
This includes:
- Timeline planning to meet federal, state, and institutional aid deadlines
- Advising on how aid strategies align with admissions goals
- Helping you compare offers and evaluate net cost
In short, financial aid consulting is not just for the wealthy or elite—it’s for any family that wants to make smarter financial decisions during college planning.
Common FAFSA Mistakes—and What They Can Cost You
Many families attempt to fill out the FAFSA on their own, assuming it will be quick and simple. But here are just a few of the most common errors we see:
1. Missing Deadlines
Each state and college has its own priority deadline. Missing it means less access to need-based aid.
2. Incorrect Reporting of Income or Assets
Confusing adjusted gross income (AGI) with total income or including retirement accounts and home equity when they shouldn’t be reported.
3. Misidentifying the Custodial Parent
In divorced families, only one parent’s financial information is required—but it must be the correct one based on FAFSA rules.
4. Overreporting 529 Plans
Misunderstanding who owns the 529 can lead to double-counting assets or overestimating student resources.
5. Skipping Verification Follow-Ups
Roughly one in four FAFSA filers get selected for verification. Missing follow-up documents means no aid awarded.
These mistakes can easily cost families thousands in missed grants or subsidized loans.
How Financial Aid Consultants Help Maximize Aid
A qualified financial aid consultant does more than prevent errors—they help you make strategic decisions that boost aid eligibility.
Accurate Reporting
Consultants ensure that every aspect of your FAFSA submission—income figures, number of dependents, and household composition—is reported precisely. Even minor discrepancies can delay processing or reduce aid.
Asset Positioning Guidance
Financial aid consultants can explain how different types of assets are treated in aid formulas. For instance, money in a student-owned account is assessed more heavily than in a parent-owned account. Shifting savings legally can improve eligibility without jeopardizing compliance.
Appeals Support
When your aid offer doesn’t reflect your financial reality—such as a recent job loss or medical expense—a consultant can help you draft a persuasive appeal letter, complete with supporting documentation that speaks the college’s language.
Award Analysis
Not all financial aid packages are equal, even if the dollar amount looks similar. Consultants dissect the terms—grants vs. loans, renewable vs. one-time aid—and help you identify which offers truly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Verification Management
If your FAFSA is selected for verification (which happens to roughly 20–25% of applicants), a consultant ensures you gather the correct documents quickly and respond with the required detail. This avoids delays that can jeopardize aid disbursement.
CBRG builds this into every client’s plan. Our financial and admissions experts work side by side to ensure students apply to the right colleges—with the best shot at aid.
What Is the #1 Most Common FAFSA Mistake?
Is Hiring Financial Aid Help Right for Your Family?
While not every family needs professional help, many benefit more than they realize.
You should consider hiring a consultant if:
- You own a small business or have complex tax returns
- You’re divorced, remarried, or have blended family structures
- You’re applying to private colleges that require the CSS Profile
- You’re a middle-income family trying to qualify for both merit and need-based aid
Even high-income families can benefit by:
- Targeting colleges with strong merit awards
- Avoiding over-reporting that disqualifies them from discounts
- Appealing aid awards effectively with proper documentation
Beware of predatory services that promise guaranteed aid or charge fees just to file the FAFSA. A legitimate financial aid consultant offers personalized advice, transparency, and long-term strategy.
What to Expect from Financial Aid Support at CBRG
At CBRG, financial aid consulting is not an add-on—it’s the foundation of our approach to smart college planning.
Here’s what our clients receive:
- Initial review of your financial profile to estimate expected contribution and aid outlook
- Filing support for FAFSA, CSS Profile, and state forms like NJ TAG
- Award letter comparisons to identify real cost differences between schools
- Appeal coaching to improve aid packages based on special circumstances
- Ongoing support throughout verification, award updates, and financial planning
As one CBRG parent shared:
“We didn’t realize we were eligible for any aid. CBRG walked us through the FAFSA and CSS Profile, helped us correct errors, and supported our appeal. We ended up getting $18,000 more than our initial offer.”
It’s this combination of strategy and service that sets CBRG apart from online tools or school-based assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid Consulting Services
Is it legal to hire someone to help with FAFSA? Yes, absolutely. The FAFSA is free to file—but hiring a consultant is legal and often helpful for families who want expert guidance.
How much do financial aid consultants cost? Pricing varies by provider. At CBRG, financial aid consulting is part of a broader college planning package, offering exceptional value for comprehensive support.
Can a consultant help if I already filed FAFSA? Yes. Consultants can help you make corrections, prepare for verification, file the CSS Profile, and advise on appeals or award decisions.
Do consultants only help low-income families? No. Middle- and high-income families benefit by positioning themselves for merit aid, understanding institutional discounts, and avoiding missteps.
What’s the difference between FAFSA and CSS Profile? FAFSA is federal and used by all colleges. CSS Profile is required by many private schools and asks for more detailed financial data.
Can these services help with NJ aid programs? Yes. CBRG helps families apply for state aid like the Tuition Aid Grant (TAG), Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), and others administered by HESAA.
When should we start the process? Ideally in junior year of high school—but even starting in senior year can help you avoid mistakes and maximize available aid.
Get Expert Help with FAFSA from CBRG
The FAFSA might be free, but mistakes can be costly. Financial aid consulting services provide the guidance NJ families need to get it right the first time.
At CBRG, we bring together admissions expertise and financial planning to help families make the smartest college decisions—without added stress or surprise costs.
Schedule a free consultation today and find out how CBRG can help you file FAFSA accurately, maximize your aid, and build a better college plan.
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