FAFSA Tips
If you step out of line at the airport ticket counter, you lose your place. The same is true with the FAFSA. If your child submits an incorrect or incomplete application, it will be returned and you’ll lose your place in the federal queue.
You can help your child submit the FAFSA correctly, and on time, to increase your family’s eligibility for financial aid.
Get Ready
Preparation can speed the process and ease the stress of completing the FAFSA. Help your child get ready by gathering the following information required for submssion:
Your child’s information
Social Security Number
Driver's license (if any)
W-2 forms and other records of money earned
Federal Income Tax Return - IRS Form 1040
Untaxed income records, such as Social Security, aid to dependent children, child support, welfare, pensions or veterans benefits.
Bank statements
Business and investment records, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and certificates of deposit (if any)
Alien registration card (if not a U.S. citizen)
Your information
Federal Income Tax Return
Untaxed income records, such as Social Security, child support, welfare, pensions or veterans benefits.
Bank statements
Business and investment records, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds and certificates of deposit (if any)
Complete the FAFSA Pre-Application Worksheet
FAFSA offers a non-submittable, pre-application worksheet that helps your child practice submitting the real FAFSA. Worksheets are available through FAFSA on the Web at www.ed.gov.
Avoid common mistakes
Have your child read the instructions carefully. The words “you” and "your” always refer to the student, whereas questions for parents will be specified.
Double check to make sure your child hasn’t left any fields blank; instead, answer zero or “not applicable” if the question does not apply
Round to the nearest dollar, and do not use commas or decimal points
Proofread your child’s application before submitting it. Double check all answers, and be sure responses are legible
Make sure you (and your child) sign the FAFSA. If you submit your application electronically, print or save your confirmation for your records
Apply online
Encourage your child to submit the application online at FAFSA on the Web.
Your child will receive the Student Aid Report (SAR) sooner than with the paper form.
FAFSA on the Web checks answers before they’re submitted, so there’s less chance the application will be rejected because of missing or conflicting information.
You can save application information for transmission at a later time.
Estimate your taxes
Because the FAFSA requires tax return information, parents should file their tax return as soon as possible after January 1. However, if you can’t file your tax returns that quickly, you can estimate your income for the FAFSA. After you’ve filed your tax return, you can make changes, if necessary, via FASFA Corrections on the Web or through the Financial Aid Office at your child’s school.
Quick Links
» FAFSA on the Web
Help your child succeed
» Helping your child
» Search for scholarships
» Financial aid award packages
For more information about NextStudent, visit www.NextStudent.com.
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