Webinars on-demand
Mapping Your Future offers various webinars throughout the year to provide training and address issues facing financial aid and education professionals. Some of these training sessions are offered in partnership with other organizations. If you can't attend one of our scheduled webinars, we encourage you to take advantage of these on-demand webinars.
Some of the webinars require you complete a registration form. Those webinars are designated with a red asterisk (*)
Completing the 2024-25 FAFSA*
November 14, 2023
Students and parents joined Mapping Your Future for the Completing the 2024-25 FAFSA webinar for guidance on how to complete the newly redesigned FAFSA. The 2024-25 FAFSA represents the first major FAFSA redesign in 40 years. Students and parents received an introduction to the FAFSA and had their FAFSA questions answered.
Get ready for the big changes with the 2024-25 FAFSA*
October 4, 2023
FAFSA Simplification, which will be implemented with the 2024-25 FAFSA, is the first major redesign of the financial aid process in more than 40 years.
In the webinar, we discussed the upcoming changes to the FAFSA and what those changes may mean for financial aid offices, as well as for students and families. In addition, we shared ideas for promoting FAFSA completion. Financial aid professionals, counselors, and others who are helping those students complete the FAFSA or are managing student verification received the latest instructions and helpful tips.
Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications*
January 26, 2023
When it comes to getting money for college, scholarships can be critical. Even a small scholarship could mean the difference between being able to continue postsecondary education or having to withdraw. This webinar addressed tips and techniques for applying for scholarships and is intended for high school and college students and parents, but high school and college professionals may benefit as well.
Understanding taxes – The basics and beyond*
December 7, 2022
To help financial aid professionals with understanding tax returns and to update current knowledge, Carolyn Thomas of Thomas & Associates, CPAs, LLC provided important information and guidance about what you should know when looking at tax returns and tax transcripts, such as understanding who should file returns, the various tax filing statuses, and other important guidelines about earned and unearned income. Educational tax benefits were also discussed.
Completing the 2023-24 FAFSA*
September 29, 2022
Students planning on attending college in the fall of 2023 need to complete the 2023-24 FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid, as well as some state and institutional aid. This training provides guidance on completing the FAFSA for students and parents and answers their FAFSA questions.
Helping students complete the 2023-24 FAFSA and ways to encourage students to complete it*
September 27, 2022
View Mapping Your Future's 2023-24 FAFSA training for financial aid professionals and others who will be helping students complete the FAFSA. Jennifer Martin, Director, University Financial Aid Compliance at Johns Hopkins University, was the presenter and went through the FAFSA, providing information on changes from last year and a variety FAFSA-related topics. Cathy Mueller also discussed upcoming changes to the FAFSA, as well as ideas for promoting FAFSA completion..
Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications*
January 27, 2022
When it comes to getting money for college, scholarships can be critical. Even a small scholarship could mean the difference between being able to continue postsecondary education or having to withdraw. This webinar addressed tips and techniques for applying for scholarships and is intended for high school and college students and parents, but high school and college professionals may benefit as well.
Understanding taxes – The basics and beyond*
December 15, 2021
As a financial aid professional, you already face many challenges in reviewing tax documents of students and parents in the verification process, and this year those challenges may increase due to the impact of the pandemic and tax law changes. To help face those challenges, Carolyn Thomas of Thomas & Associates, CPAs, LLC provided important information and guidance about what you should know when looking at tax returns and tax transcripts, such as understanding who should file returns, the various tax filing statuses, and other important guidelines about earned and unearned income. Educational tax benefits also were discussed.
Helping students complete the 2022-23 FAFSA and ways to encourage students to complete it*
September 29, 2021
View Mapping Your Future's 2022-23 FAFSA training for financial aid professionals and others who will be helping students complete the FAFSA. Jennifer Martin, Director, University Financial Aid Compliance at Johns Hopkins University, was the presenter and went through the FAFSA, providing information on changes from last year and a variety FAFSA-related topics. Pete Hernandez from the Florida Department of Education and Kara Brietzke from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development also provided a panel discussion on FAFSA completion efforts.
Completing the 2022-23 FAFSA*
September 28, 2021
Students planning on attending college in the fall of 2022 need to complete the 2022-23 FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid, as well as some state and institutional aid. This training provides guidance on completing the FAFSA for students and parents and answers their FAFSA questions.
The Full Student
May 6, 2021
As a college student himself, Kadeem Leslie has a unique insight into the challenges currently faced by many students. He faced and overcame many of those challenges himself to become a straight-A student, a successful entrepreneur, and now a book author. He has helped many fellow students as a peer adviser at Seton Hall University (where he is now a senior nearing graduation) and decided to share what he's learned through his experiences in his new book, The Full Student. Kadeem shared his story, advice, and tips with high school and college students in two May webinars, hosted by Mapping Your Future.
Scholarship strategies — Five components for a scholarship plan*
February 23, 2021
A scholarship could make all the difference for a student trying to pay for college. Scholarships help students accomplish college and career goals while avoiding a burdensome amount of student loan debt. This session addressed tips and techniques for applying for scholarships and provide resources for students to stay organized in the process. The webinar is intended for high school and college students and parents and was presented in conjunction with the Bank of North Dakota.
Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications*
February 4, 2021
When it comes to getting money for college, scholarships can be critical - especially if you or your family have been impacted financially by the pandemic. Even a small scholarship could mean the difference between being able to continue postsecondary education or having to withdraw. This webinar addressed tips and techniques for applying for scholarships and is intended for high school and college students and parents, but high school and college professionals may benefit as well.
Making it easy to collect needed documents from students*
January 27, 2021
Schools looking for a secure and easy way to collect documents from their students will want to view this MappingXpress demo from Mapping Your Future. MappingXpress is a secure document transfer service that allows students to quickly and easily upload documents for retrieval by school professionals.
Understanding taxes – The basics and beyond*
December 16, 2020
As a financial aid professional, you already face many challenges in reviewing tax documents of students and parents in the verification process, and this year those challenges may increase due to the impact of the pandemic and tax law changes. To help face those challenges, Carolyn Thomas of Thomas & Associates, CPAs, LLC provided important information and guidance about what you should know when looking at tax returns and tax transcripts, such as understanding who should file returns, the various tax filing statuses, and other important guidelines about earned and unearned income. Educational tax benefits also were discussed.
Career Discovery: Answering 2021-22 FAFSA Questions
October 8, 2020
Students considering attending college in the fall of 2021 need to complete the 2021-22 FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid, as well as some state and institutional aid. In this webinar, hosted by the Bank of North Dakota, students and parents received an introduction to the FAFSA and received answers to their FAFSA questions.
Completing the 2021-22 FAFSA*
October 6, 2020
Students planning on attending college in the fall of 2021 need to complete the 2021-22 FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid, as well as some state and institutional aid. This training provides guidance on completing the FAFSA for students and parents and answers their FAFSA questions.
2021-22 FAFSA training available for financial aid professionals and others helping students and parents complete the FAFSA*
September 30, 2020
View Mapping Your Future's 2021-22 FAFSA training for financial aid professionals and others who will be helping students complete the FAFSA. Jennifer Martin, Director, University Financial Aid Compliance at Johns Hopkins University, was the presenter and went through the FAFSA, providing information on changes from last year and a variety FAFSA-related topics.
The impact of COVID-19 on financial aid professionals*
July 28, 2020
Mapping Your Future hosted a conversation among financial aid professionals in which we explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on financial aid offices and how they are addressing their concerns. This timely webinar summarized the results of the recent Mapping Your Future survey and one state's survey on the impact of the pandemic on financial aid offices.
The panelists included Amy Staffier from Simmons University, David Martin from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Lisanne Masterson from Blue Ridge Community College, and Sarah Baumhoff from Kennesaw State University.
Town Hall Meeting on FAFSA Completion
May 19, 2020
Your future is more important than ever now, and you have the opportunity to take control despite the effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on our lives. One way to take control is by completing the FAFSA, planning for education, and ultimately achieving career success. This town hall meeting, conducted in cooperation with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), provided an opportunity to ask questions and find answers on FAFSA completion. Financial aid itself may not have changed much in recent months, but the circumstances that cause students to need financial assistance has changed. The panelists included a parent, a school counselor, and a financial aid administrator who provided guidance and support for questions and other issues dealing with FAFSA completion.
Understanding taxes - The basics and beyond*
December 18, 2019
As a financial aid professional, you already face many challenges in reviewing tax documents of students and parents in the verification process, and this year those challenges may increase due to tax law changes implemented in 2018. To help face those challenges, Carolyn Thomas of Thomas & Associates, CPAs, LLC provided important information and guidance about what you should know when looking at tax returns and tax transcripts, such as understanding who should file returns, the various tax filing statuses, and other important guidelines about earned and unearned income. Educational tax benefits also were discussed.
Answering student and parent questions about the 2020-21 FAFSA*
September 24, 2019
Students planning on attending college in the fall of 2020 need to complete the 2020-21 FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid, as well as some state and institutional aid. This training provides guidance on completing the FAFSA for students and parents and answers their FAFSA questions.
2020-21 FAFSA training available for financial aid professionals and others helping students and parents complete the FAFSA*
September 18, 2019
View Mapping Your Future's 2020-21 FAFSA training for financial aid professionals and others who will be helping students complete the FAFSA. Jennifer Martin, Director, University Financial Aid Compliance at Johns Hopkins University, was the presenter and went through the FAFSA, providing information on changes from last year and a variety FAFSA-related topics.
Understanding Military Education Benefits - Three Perspectives*
August 14, 2019
Assistance with education costs are a valuable benefit for those serving in the military. It is important for veterans, as well as school staff, to understand the benefits, to help the veterans and their families succeed.
In this webinar, "Understanding Military Education Benefits - Three Perspectives," panelists provided information and insight on educational benefits for veterans. Panelists included Mik Todd from Money Management International; James Davenport and John Robert from the University of North Texas; and student veteran, Jelani Gibson.
Creating and using the FSA ID for students and parents*
April 20, 2017
Students and parents may have questions about the Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. The FSA ID is intended to protect personal information when students, parents, and borrowers complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and log into federal websites, such as the FAFSA, Studentloans.gov, and NSLDS. In this webinar, Lori Auxier provides information on creating and using the FSA ID.
Creating and using the FSA ID for high school, college professionals*
April 18, 2017
High school and college professionals know that the FSA ID is intended to protect personal information when students, parents, and borrowers complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and log into federal websites, such as the FAFSA, Studentloans.gov, and NSLDS. They also know that sometimes students and parents need assistance setting up the FSA ID. In this webinar, Lori Auxier provided the background needed to assist them.
Best practices and resources to make your college access programs a success*
June 1, 2016
Helping your students and parents through the college and financial aid application process can be challenging, but there are resources that can help you reach your college access goals. High school educators, college admissions staff, and others interested in helping students and parents are encouraged to view this webinar in which the Florida College Access Network (Florida CAN) and the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) discussed their statewide initiatives designed to support high school seniors as they prepare to continue their education after high school.