For many families, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the most confusing parts of the college application process. There are financial questions to answer, tax information to provide, deadlines to track, and, for many students, parents who need to complete part of the application.
The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. States and colleges may also use FAFSA information when determining eligibility for their own financial aid programs.
Here are some tips to make the process easier and help avoid common mistakes.
1. Create Your StudentAid.gov Account Before You Start
Before completing the FAFSA online, the student needs a StudentAid.gov account. If a parent or spouse needs to contribute information, that person generally needs their own StudentAid.gov account as well.
Don’t wait until the night you plan to complete the FAFSA to create the accounts. Set them up ahead of time and make sure everyone who needs to participate can log in successfully.
Tip: Keep your StudentAid.gov username and password somewhere secure. You’ll need the account again in future years.
2. Gather Your Information Before Starting
Having the necessary information ready can make the FAFSA much faster.
Depending on your family’s circumstances, you may need:
- StudentAid.gov account information
- Social Security number or other required identification
- Federal tax information
- Records of child support received
- Information about certain assets
- Parent or spouse information, if applicable
- A list of colleges you’re considering
The current FAFSA transfers federal tax information from the IRS after the required consent and approval are provided, so that makes the process even easier. However, you may need other financial information to answer additional questions.
3. Let the Student Start the FAFSA
One important change in the FAFSA process is the use of contributors.
A contributor is a person who is required to provide information on the FAFSA, give consent and approval for federal tax information to be transferred from the IRS, and sign their portion of the form. For a dependent student, this will generally involve a parent.
Federal Student Aid recommends that the student start the FAFSA and complete the student’s sections first. The student can then invite the required parent or other contributor to complete their portion. This can help prevent confusion about who is responsible for each section.
4. Make Sure You Invite the Correct Parent
Figuring out which parent should provide information can be confusing, particularly when parents are divorced or separated.
Don’t simply assume that the parent who claims the student on their taxes is automatically the parent who should complete the FAFSA.
Federal Student Aid has a “Who’s My FAFSA Parent?” tool to help families determine which parent should be involved.
If your family situation is complicated, take the time to understand this before completing the form.
5. Don’t Skip the Consent and Approval
This is one of the most important steps.
Students and required contributors must provide consent and approval for the IRS to transfer federal tax information into the FAFSA. According to Federal Student Aid, even individuals who did not file a federal tax return generally still need to provide the required consent and approval.
Without the required consent and approval, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.
If you’re unsure about a question, don’t simply skip it. Read the FAFSA instructions or use the help features provided within the application.
6. Don’t Wait Until the Deadline
There isn’t just one FAFSA deadline to worry about.
There are federal, state, and college deadlines, and they can be different from one another. Some state and college financial aid programs have earlier priority deadlines or limited funds.
That’s why it’s a good idea to complete the FAFSA as early as possible rather than waiting until the final deadline. The FAFSA opens on Oct. 1 and is open until June 30, 2027, but you should apply early so you can compare financial aid offers with the college decisions that come in.
7. Add All the Colleges You’re Considering
The FAFSA allows students to list up to 20 colleges and schools on the online form. You don’t have to wait until you’ve been accepted to a college to include it.
If you’re still considering a school, it can make sense to include it.
You can also make changes later if your college list changes. However, waiting to add a school could potentially mean missing that school’s financial aid priority deadline.
Tip: Before submitting your FAFSA, compare your list against your college application list to make sure you haven’t accidentally left a school off.
8. Be Careful With Your Answers
Take your time when entering information. A small mistake—such as entering incorrect personal information or financial information—can create additional work later.
Before submitting:
- Review the student’s personal information.
- Double-check contributor information.
- Review financial information.
- Make sure all required contributors have completed their sections.
- Confirm that the colleges you’re considering are listed.
- Make sure everyone who needs to sign has done so.
Federal Student Aid recommends reviewing your FAFSA carefully and checking your FAFSA Submission Summary after the form has been processed.
9. Don’t Assume You Won’t Qualify for Financial Aid
Some families assume that because their income is too high, they don’t need to complete the FAFSA.
That’s not necessarily the case.
FAFSA information can be used by colleges and states when determining eligibility for their financial aid programs, and some colleges may have their own requirements or policies regarding financial aid applications.
If you’re unsure whether completing the FAFSA makes sense for your family, check the financial aid requirements for the colleges you’re considering.
10. Complete the FAFSA Every Year
The FAFSA isn’t a one-time application.
Students generally need to complete a new FAFSA for each year they want to receive federal student aid.
Your family’s financial situation can also change from one year to the next, so don’t assume that last year’s FAFSA results will automatically carry over. If you have a change in circumstances, you can call colleges to discuss significant changes and ask whether an adjustment may be possible.
Submitting the FAFSA is not the end of the financial aid process.
After submitting, students should:
- Check their FAFSA confirmation.
- Review the FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Correct any errors.
- Complete any required state financial aid application.
- Watch for communications from colleges.
- Review financial aid offers carefully.
- Compare the actual cost of attending each college.
Federal Student Aid specifically recommends reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary to make sure the information submitted is accurate and to identify any additional steps.
Final Thoughts
The FAFSA can feel complicated, especially when you’re completing it for the first time. Give yourself plenty of time, gather your information before starting, and make sure everyone who needs to participate understands their role.
Most importantly, don’t wait until the last minute.
Completing the FAFSA early can help ensure that you meet important deadlines and gives you more time to address questions or corrections that come up along the way.
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