It is time to take on the FAFSA, a critical, but often intimidating step in the financial aid process. The FAFSA can be complicated, but errors could cost you money. If your application is delayed because of errors, you could miss out on some or all of your possible financial aid benefits.
Setting yourself up to do the FAFSA right the first time is your best guarantee of a smooth financial aid application process.
- As you begin the FAFSA, it is helpful to know that: The FAFSA is always free. The form is completed online directly on the FAFSA site. You should never pay for the FAFSA. You may link to the FAFSA website by clicking here, or at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Any other site is not the official FAFSA site and may have fee-based services.
- Be accurate! Confirm your address, your name, and all other data. Errors will cost you time and could make you miss out on funding!
- Complete your FAFSA as early as possible. If possible do your taxes early and complete your FAFSA. If your taxes are not done, use estimates and file your official return information later. Getting done early puts your name at or near the top of the financial aid list. Those who are there first are likely to have access to the best funding opportunities.
- The FAFSA will refer to “I”, “You”, “Your.” Those kinds of terms always refer to the student. Even when your parents complete the form, remember that those terms are about YOU!
- Each year, the FAFSA uses color to identify certain items. There will be one color for the student and another for items that are for parents. Look for those color cues.
