FAFSA Tip Sheet
1. Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov rather than completing a paper form. The online version is quicker to complete and easier to correct.
(Do not use FAFSA.COM, it is a commercial site that charges a fee to collect and forward your information)
2. Apply for a personal identification number (PIN) on the www.fafsa.ed.gov web site well before you want to complete your online FAFSA.
3. Complete the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet before you complete the FAFSA.
4. If you have reliable email access, provide your email address on the FAFSA form to receive correspondence quickly by email rather than waiting to get information by post.
5. File the FAFSA early in the year as some aid is limited and awarded on a first come first serve basis.
6. To avoid being selected for verification, answer every question completely and accurately. Do not round numbers: offering $35,000 as your income vs. $35,267.
7. Keep a copy of your tax return and a copy of the last pay stub of last year in case you are selected at random for verification.
8. Be careful when completing the income questions as some apply to the parent and some apply to the student.
9. When estimating your current balance of cash, savings and checking accounts, simply provide a reasonable ballpark of your current holdings after all of your presently due bills are paid.
10. Answer question 31 carefully as the yes/no answers are in reverse order from the rest of the yes/no questions.
11. List all schools you are considering attending. Do not eliminate schools based on price until you've applied for financial aid. You can include up to 6 schools on the FAFSA form and add additional schools by either calling the Department of Education or by updating your FAFSA online.
"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin"
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