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Completing the FAFSA
by Kal A. Chany
President, Campus Consultants |
Because each family's situation is
different, it is impossible to provide general information on how to answer each question
on the aid forms to best advantage. There are, however, certain tips that apply to all aid
applicants:
- Use the proper writing implement. Some
forms must be completed using a #2 pencil; others require a dark ink ballpoint pen. Be
sure to correctly mark the response areas. For example on the FAFSA, you must completely
fill in the response ovals.
- Be sure that you list the student's full legal name and correct social security number
on the forms. If the name and social security number do not match the information in the
Social Security Administration's database, the processing of your FAFSA form will be
delayed.
- Answer all the required questions. Do not write in the margins. Use whole dollar
amounts; do not list cents. Important: Be sure to triple check any school code numbers
submitted to the processors.
- Use estimated figures if your taxes cannot be completed in time to meet the earliest
school's filing deadlines.
- Be sure to sign the forms. (This is one of the most common mistakes made.) Be sure to
make photocopies of all forms prior to mailing. The colleges frequently ask for further
clarification of some of your responses at a later date.
- If you must file the PROFILE form and did not supply credit card information when you
registered, make sure that you pay the bill for the filing fee which was included with the
PROFILE packet.
- File the FAFSA as soon after January 1 of senior year as possible, but no later than
your earliest school's FAFSA deadline. If at least one of the colleges under consideration
requires the PROFILE, you should file the PROFILE by the earliest college's PROFILE
deadline, which may be different than the FAFSA deadline.
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