55 tools, guides and lifelines
Everything, organized.
Find it by what’s going on. EFF tools are free and private: no account needed unless you’re applying to EFF.
Help right now
Food, rent, a bill, a hold, a hard night. Start here.
Start hereGet Help near youSay what's going on in your own words and get local help, nearest first, plus exactly what to say when you call.Official source ↗988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall, text, or chat 988 for immediate mental-health crisis support.EFFAsk a real person at EFFTell EFF what's going on, privately. You get a code to follow your request.ToolCollege Retention Emergency TerminalDiagnose urgent barriers, build formal petitions, prepare evidence, and escalate to the right campus or public authority.ToolTuition Rescue PlanGet a personalized 48-hour plan and email opener based on your deadline.Official source ↗Local help through 211Find nearby food, housing, health, transportation, and emergency services.EFFApply for EFF emergency fundingWhen EFF's emergency funding is open, apply with your My REACH account.
Pay for school
Scholarships checked every morning, EFF's own awards, and aid made plain.
EFFREACH ScholarshipsThousands of open scholarships, checked every morning. Search by level, deadline and state.ToolMatch me in 2 minutesAnswer a few questions and see the open scholarships that fit you, with the reasons why.EFFApply to EFFEsther Funds Foundation's own scholarships and funding, in one account.EFFThe Scholarship Walk167 hand-picked scholarships in the order they close. Save a list and add deadlines to your calendar.ToolFAFSA DecoderDecode your FAFSA status, SAI, verification request, or changed financial circumstances.ToolAward Letter & Balance DecoderUpload an aid letter, add your bill, wages, work hours, savings, and support, then see what is still uncovered.ToolFinancial Aid Offer DecoderSeparate gift aid, debt, work-study, bill gap, and the full cost of attendance.ToolFinancial Aid Counter-Offer EngineCompare competing offers, check a federal net-price benchmark, and draft a respectful institutional-aid reconsideration request.ToolPell ProtectorCheck whether other grants could push your Pell Grant away, before you accept them.ToolScholarship Essay BuilderAnswer five quick prompts and instantly get a scholarship-ready STORY outline.ToolScholarship Action CenterTurn one deadline and its requirements into a complete application checklist.EFFOfficial EFF Recommendation LetterSubmit truthful facts and save a personalized Esther Funds Foundation letter.GuideEssay & planner toolkitsFree PDFs: essay toolkit, application planner, senior roadmap, aid appeal toolkit and more.Official source ↗College ScorecardCompare institutions by costs, completion, fields of study, and earnings.Official source ↗Loan SimulatorEstimate repayment options and understand how future borrowing changes your payment.
Stay enrolled
Holds, appeals, grades, transcripts: fight for your seat before you give it up.
EFFThe Survival KitCan I still register? Write my appeal. Help near my campus. Everything in one place.ToolEFF Student Defense SuiteProtect your aid, grades, transcript, housing, degree path, and registration with one focused next-step system.ToolStay-Enrolled PlannerName the barrier and build a support-team plan before changing enrollment.ToolDeadline Reminder BuilderDownload private calendar alerts for two weeks, three days, and one day before.GuideReach for YourselfFind immediate help, funding, benefits, academic support, wellness care, and a plan to stay enrolled.Official source ↗Disability & accommodation rightsLearn about Section 504, the ADA, and support in higher education.Official source ↗Free civil legal aidFind local help for housing, family, benefits, employment, and consumer issues.
Mind & heart
You don't have to hold it alone. Rest, talk, pray, breathe.
Official source ↗988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall, text, or chat 988 for immediate mental-health crisis support.Official source ↗Crisis Text LineText HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor.EFFSelahA quiet space: music, scripture, breathing and a timer. No account.EFFThe LighthouseAsk EFF for help privately and follow your request.ToolHelp Them StayPractice a branching conversation, see how each response lands, and leave with words and resources you can use.
Career & income
Build the résumé, practice the interview, earn while you learn.
ToolEFF Builds Your RésuméTap through your real experience and generate an editable, ATS-ready one-page résumé with interview-defense coaching.ToolEFF Interview CoachPractice a profession-specific interview, record locally, receive transparent rubric feedback, and retry until mastered.ToolCareer Launchpad ProfileOrganize your story, projects, skills, and reference details into a private, editable professional profile.Official source ↗CareerOneStopExplore careers, assessments, training, scholarships, and local American Job Centers.Official source ↗Internships & apprenticeshipsExplore paid work-based learning and credentials connected to growing careers.Official source ↗College money skillsHandle aid refunds, banking, budgeting, and borrowing more confidently.
Family & friends
For the people in your corner, and for being someone's.
GuideReach for a FriendLearn how to listen, encourage, connect, follow up, set boundaries, and respond when safety is at risk.GuideParent & Family College Funding GuidePractical ways to support without taking over, FAFSA and aid-office questions, and an urgent-money plan.ToolFamily Funding CheckPressure-test the college gap and a parent or private-loan decision.Official source ↗FAFSA for parentsUnderstand contributor invitations, consent, tax information, and common mistakes.Official source ↗Childcare & family assistanceFind state childcare subsidies, campus childcare, WIC, SNAP, and family supports.GuideREACH K–12Help students and families prepare for college, financial aid, belonging, and the transition before a crisis begins.
Lead & give
Be the reason someone else stays.
EFFREACH AmbassadorsMeet the student leaders bringing care, resources, and connection to campus.EFFREACH WorkshopsLive workshops where the whole room plays along on their phones. Join with a code, or host one from MyEFF.EFFRequest a REACH workshopBring a REACH workshop or support to your campus.ToolCampus Event BuilderCreate a useful 60-minute REACH event in under three minutes.GuideReach Your CampusRun a workshop, request support, host a scholarship search party, or become an EFF ambassador.GuideReach Your CommunityLead care packages, pantry and hygiene drives, advocacy, mentorship, and readiness projects.GuideReach Beyond CampusStart a chapter, grow student leadership, donate, and build partnerships that outlast one event.GuideREACH for ProfessionalsMentor students, sponsor programming, offer career access, partner with EFF, or return as an alum leader.EFFFund a student's next stepSupport scholarships, emergency aid, educational tools, and student care.