Helpful Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA Form

We all know that attending college is expensive. According to CollegeData, the average price of tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year came to:

• $39,400 at private colleges
• $10,940 at public colleges (in-state residents)
• $28,240 at public colleges (out-of-state residents)

With these costs in mind, many turn to federal student loans to cover the costs of their college education. To be considered for federal student aid, it’s encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

If you’re applying for financial aid in the near future, we’ve come up with a few tips to help make the process of filling out the FAFSA form less of a stress.

1. Apply early and online

FAFSA applications typically open on October 1 each year for the following academic year. The due date for filling out the FAFSA form may differ based on state and school deadlines. Submitting your FAFSA form can also help you qualify for grants or scholarships, many of which are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. That means the sooner you file, the more aid you may be eligible for.

Using the online application is highly encouraged versus completing the paper one. Applying online will usually be processed faster and will likely be more accurate since the FAFSA website can typically catch common errors.

2. Avoid common mistakes when filling out the FAFSA form

Speaking of common errors, there are plenty of mistakes applicants make when filling out the FAFSA form. Here are some common errors when applying for financial aid:

• Leaving too many blank or incomplete fields
• Entering wrong personal information like Social Security number, driver’s license number, legal name, and address
• Including wrong financial information such as wrong federal income tax paid or wrong total income
• Failing to list all the colleges you might end up attending
• Forgetting to sign and date the form

Keep in mind that an application full of errors can delay its processing time.

3. File together

An index number is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid, known as Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which considers a family’s income, assets, and benefits. The number of siblings that are filing in the same year can impact your EFC. For example, if you have two siblings filing FAFSA forms in the same school year, you can end up lowering your EFC and potentially qualify for more aid for both students.

4. Just apply!

No matter your income status or if you believe you qualify for any aid, make sure you apply! Filling out the FAFSA can also help you qualify for scholarships and grants that you would otherwise not know about.

From the application process to move-in day, going to college is stressful. Applying for financial aid is a necessary stressor and we hope these tips for filling out the FAFSA form are a helpful start to the process. Looking for more resources to help alleviate your anxiety about paying for college? In this article, you can discover how do you pay for college without going broke.