Filing the FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step to receiving federal financial aid. Though it may seem like a daunting task, all it takes is a little bit of preparation, time, and focus.
To save yourself from making any FAFSA errors, here are the most common mistakes that are made when filling out the FAFSA application.
What is the Most Common Mistake Made on the FAFSA?
#1: Not Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT)
The FAFSA offers a convenient tool called the IRS Data Retrieval Tool that fills out all your tax information to your FAFSA so you don’t have to. It’s a quick and convenient way to save you time and avoid making any errors on the application. Take advantage of it!
#2: Not Reading the Directions Carefully
Some of the terminology on the FAFSA application can’t be taken at face value. The application has very specific definitions for the following words that you should be aware of.
- Household size: Your family’s household size consists of: 1) Yourself; 2) Your parents; 3) Your parents’ children who receive more than half of their support; 4) Individuals who live with your parents and receive more than half of their support.
- Number of family members in college: Enter the number of individuals who will be attending college for at least half-time during the same time as you (including yourself). Do not count your parents even if they are attending college.
- Net worth of investments: The net worth of your parents’ investments is found by subtracting the debt amount from the investment’s value.
- Taxable college scholarships and grants: When the FAFSA asks for the total amount of taxable college scholarships and grants, report any scholarship and grant amounts that are reported to the IRS as income. Use the amount reported on your tax return.
#3: Mistaking Dependency and/or Marital Status
Complex family dynamics can make completing the FAFSA a bit tricky. If your parents’ marital status is ambiguous, use the following chart provided by the Federal Student Aid (FSA) office as a guide.
If your dependency status is unclear as well, you’ll want to double-check that you are putting down the right information. Even if you fully support yourself, you may be considered a dependent student by the Office of Federal Student Aid.
To determine your dependency status, answer the following questions.
- Will you be 24 or older by Jan. 1 of the school year for which you are applying for financial aid?
- Are you married or separated but not divorced?
- Will you be working toward a master’s or doctorate degree (such as M.A., MBA, M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.)?
- Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
- Do you have dependents (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent of the court?
- Are you an emancipated minor or are you in legal guardianship as determined by a court?
- Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, you are considered an independent student. If you answered “no” to all of the questions, you are considered a dependent student.
>> MORE: How to fill out the FAFSA as an independent student
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#4: Only Listing One College
Unless you’re already in school or know what school you will be going to, don’t list only one college on your FAFSA. Add all the colleges you are considering applying to (even if you don’t know if you will be accepted or attend).
List as many schools as you want on your FAFSA application. There is no harm in doing so. If you don’t apply or are not accepted to a school you listed on your FAFSA, the school will simply disregard your FAFSA.
You can add up to 10 schools at a time. If you want to add more schools, you can replace the ones you already have.
Note: The school(s) you remove from your list will not have automatic access to any new updates or information you add to your FAFSA after removal.
#5: Not Signing the FAFSA Form
Signing the FAFSA form is probably the easiest step of the application, but it is the most commonly forgotten. Don’t let this happen to you. You will need to know your FSA ID and password (as well as your parent’s FSA ID and password) to sign.
Other FAFSA Application Errors to Avoid
Forgetting Account Information
You will want to keep your FSA ID and password in a safe place that you will be able to access. You’ll need it for every important step, whether it be starting a new application or submitting your finalized one.
Not Using Your Legal Name
You must use your legal name, or the name written on your government documents, when filling out the FAFSA application. Nicknames or other versions of your name are not allowed.
If you used the wrong name for your application, you should submit a name change for your Student Aid Report (SAR) and contact your school’s financial aid office.
Leaving Answers Blank
Having too many blank spaces on your application can result in a rejected application or a miscalculation. Instead, experts recommend putting “0” or “Not applicable” in spaces that you cannot fill out.
If you use the IRS DRT, know that the tool will not fill out the entire application for you. You will still have to fill out items like “Payments to tax-deferred pension and retirement savings plans”, which are not automatically filled out by the DRT.
Before submitting, be sure to double-check that all required information is provided and that all of your answers are accurate.
Not Ranking Your Schools Properly (State Schools Only)
Some states require you to rank a state school within your top three choices to be considered for state grants. You may not receive a state grant because you did not rank a state school you are considering “high enough” on your FAFSA.
If you’re unsure about your state’s grant requirement, rank your top choice for state schools first on your FAFSA application.
Not Filling out the Special Circumstances Section
If you had any special circumstances that impacted your family’s income, report it. Colleges offer a form you can fill out to report any special circumstances, which may help you receive more financial aid.
What Happens if There is an Error on the FAFSA?
Thankfully, it won’t be the end of the world if you make an error or two on your FAFSA application. Here are some steps you can take to remedy the mistake.
Step 1: Contact Your School’s Financial Aid Office
Reach out to your school’s financial aid office (or all the financial aid offices of the schools you’ve applied to) to alert them about the mistake. It’s probably not the first time that the office has dealt with FAFSA issues, so you’ll be in good hands.
Step 2: Make FAFSA Corrections
You can make direct changes to your FAFSA by logging into your account online. Select the option, “Make FAFSA Corrections” on the MY FAFSA page and adjust accordingly.
Step 3 (Optional): File An Appeal
You should only file an appeal for the FAFSA if you feel that your household financial situation is not reflected accurately. Individuals usually appeal the FAFSA if they feel as though they haven’t received enough financial aid or faced a drastic change in their financial situation since submitting the form.
You will need substantial evidence to prove that your FAFSA does not reflect your current finances. Reasons to appeal the FAFSA include:
- Divorce
- Serious illness
- Death
- Sudden layoff
>> MORE: How to write a FAFSA appeal letter
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Ascent
Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 11/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
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Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 11/1/2024 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 1.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest rates require full
principal and interest payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the repayment examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins.
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1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
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Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
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Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
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Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
1 – Terms and Conditions Apply
Loan products, terms, and benefits may be modified or discontinued by participating lenders at any time without notice. Rates displayed are reserved for the most creditworthy consumers who enroll to make automatic monthly payments. Your initial rate will be determined after a review of your application and credit profile. Variable rates may increase after consummation. You must be either a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident in an eligible state and from an eligible school, and meet the lender’s credit and income requirements to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account, a minimum share account deposit, and the payment of any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to apply with, and accept a loan offered from, a credit union lender. If you are not a member of the credit union lender, you may apply and become a member during the loan application process if you meet the lender’s eligibility criteria. Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may result in a better chance of loan approval and/or lower interest rate. Loans for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not available via LendKey.com.
2 – Cosigner Release
Some lenders participating on LendKey.com may offer the benefit of cosigner release. Cosigner release is subject to lender approval. In order to qualify, the borrower, alone, must meet the following requirements: (1) Make the required number of consecutive, on-time full principal and interest payments as indicated in the borrower’s credit agreement during the repayment period (excluding interest-only payments) immediately prior to the request. Any period of forbearance will reset the repayment clock; (2) The account cannot be in delinquent status; (3) The borrower must provide proof of income indicating that he/she meets the income requirements and pass a credit review demonstrating that he/she has a satisfactory credit history and the ability to assume full responsibility of loan repayment; (4) No bankruptcies or foreclosures in the last sixty months; and (5) No loan defaults.
3 – Autopay Rate Reduction
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments.
4 – AutoPay Discount & Lowest Interest Rate
Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised APR is only available for loan terms of 10 years and is reserved for the highest qualified applicants, taking into consideration the applicant’s credit and other factors.
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Student Loan Origination (Private Student Loan) Interest Rate Disclosure:
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College Ave
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation.
(2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000.
(3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
Information advertised valid as of 11/1/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Closing Thoughts From the Nest
While filling out the FAFSA may seem tedious, filling out the form carefully and as early as possible is key to maximizing federal financial aid. To avoid any FAFSA errors, read the directions carefully and ask for help when you need it.