5 FAFSA Season Tips for Parents and Students

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By Tameka Easter, Sallie Mae Social Media Director

Families with college-age children find themselves in a new season: FAFSA Season. Filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the most important step you can take — it’s the only only way to receive federal student aid. Last year, the federal government awarded about $150 billion in grants, low-interest loans, and work-study.¹ Make your FAFSA process smoother with these five tips:

Tip 1: Know your deadlines

The deadline for federal student aid is June 30 of the academic year in which the student plans to enroll in college. In other words, if you plan to enroll in college in August 2018, you must submit your FAFSA by June 30, 2018. But do try to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. College and state financial aid deadlines can be as early as February or March of the senior year of high school. Colleges may require an additional application to be considered for institutional aid, so check your deadlines and apply as early as possible.

Tip 2: Have your information ready before you start

You’ll need your Social Security number, family financial information, most recent tax returns and/or W2s, bank statements, and a federal PIN number. If the student is a dependent, you’ll need financial information from parents and the student. This Department of Education guide can help clarify which parent’s information should be included: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/who-is-my-parent.png.

Tip 3: Get a PIN

If you plan to complete and submit your FAFSA online, you’ll need a Federal Student Aid PIN, available for free at https://pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp. With it, you can apply and “sign” the FAFSA online, check the status of your submitted FAFSA, make corrections, and even e-sign loan promissory notes. Note: A Federal Student Aid ID will replace the PIN beginning spring 2018.

Tip 4: Do it online

This is the easiest way to fill out the FAFSA — and there’s no charge at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. If you have questions, the site offers online chat, and there are built-in error detectors to catch mistakes in real time. Your online submission will be processed within 3-5 days, compared to 2-4 weeks if you mail it in.

Tip 5: Review your information

At every step of the process, be sure to review the information to make sure that it’s correct. You can make corrections online at the government’s FAFSA site.

For more information on the FAFSA process, along with free tools and tips about paying for college, visit SallieMae.com/FAFSA.

¹ fafsa.ed.gov

Originally posted on March 2, 2015.