Here’s some of our advice for filling out your FAFSA and common errors to avoid…
Filling out your FAFSA forms for college can be very important. It’s grant money from the government that you don’t have to pay back! Here’s some of our advice for filling out your FAFSA and common errors to avoid.
1. Apply early
Early registration usually begins in October. This means you should take advantage of this and apply as soon as you can. The sooner you apply, the more money you could receive for your tuition.
If your parents do not have their tax information for that year yet– that’s okay. The online FAFSA form will allow your parents to put in their information from the previous year to give them estimates for your Pell Grant money.
2. Have you and your parent’s information ready
You will need certain pieces of information for you and your parents before you start filling out the FAFSA. You’ll need both of your Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, your parents and/or your tax returns from at least two years prior and more.
There is a compiled list of documents you should have ready to go here.
3. Common errors to avoid
- Leaving too many fields blank: Enter 0 or not applicable when you are unsure. Leaving too many fields blank can lead to a rejection of your FAFSA.
- Failing to use your legal name: Don’t use nicknames. Use the name that is on your social security card, verbatim.
- Listing an incorrect Social Security number or driver’s license number: Make sure you are double checking all your numbers. If your parents do not have a Social Security number, enter 000-00-0000. Do not make up numbers!
- Entering the wrong address: Make sure you are entering your permanent address and make sure it is correct. Do not list temporary or campus addresses.
- Listing parental marital status incorrectly: If the parent you are using for FAFSA information has remarried, they must have your stepparent enter their information too. If your parents are in a same-sex marriage, you must list them as Parent 1 and Parent 2. Both must be included.
- Failure to list both parents if they live together: You must list both of your parents if they live together. Even if they are not married, but they live together, their information is needed, and they must state they live together.
- Failure to report unborn children: If you have a parent that is pregnant, but the baby will be born during the year you are applying for, you must list the baby as a member of the household.
- Failing to register with the Selective Service: If you are a male, ages 18 to 26, you must register yourself with the Selective Service. If you don’t register, you are unable to receive financial aid.
- Forgetting to sign and date the forms: If you are filling out a paper FAFSA, make sure to sign and date it! If you are doing it online, the website has its own process of digitally signing and dating your document.
To apply for the FAFSA online, go to fafsa.gov. For more information, you can call 1-800-433-3243.
Image Credit: by envato.com
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PAYING FOR COLLEGE: getting the aid you need
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