What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a federal form you must fill out to qualify for most student financial aid.

I didn't submit my FAFSA in January, and it's now April. Are there any penalties for waiting so long to submit it?

Ideally, you should complete a FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. Most schools' deadlines are well in advance of the corresponding state and federal deadlines. And many colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do I need a Social Security number to apply for federal student financial aid?

You must have a Social Security number (SSN) to be eligible for federal student financial aid. If you submit a FAFSA without an SSN, your FAFSA will be returned to you unprocessed.

Is it better to wait until our income tax forms have been completed before submitting the FAFSA?

No. Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. Do not wait until your taxes are done. Although it is better to do your taxes early, it is okay to use estimates of your income, so long as they aren't far from the actual values.

If you wait too long, you may miss state aid deadlines. Most states require the FAFSA to be submitted by March 1 and some even as early as early or mid-February.

Should I use my dad's tax and salary info if my parents are divorced?

Maybe. Complete the form with information from the parent you lived with for the majority of the past 12 months.

Do I have to submit a new FAFSA every year?

If you applied for aid last year, you may not have to complete an entire FAFSA: You can use a Renewal FAFSA. If you receive a Renewal FAFSA, you're only required to provide new financial data and non-financial information. You can leave information that has not changed from the prior year.

You should file a FAFSA (new or renewal) every year you are in school.

What is a PIN used for?

You can do the following with your PIN:

• Electronically sign a FAFSA.
• File a Renewal FAFSA online to reapply for financial aid, if you applied last year.
• Make corrections online to an existing FAFSA.
• Check the status of your FAFSA and view an electronic copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).
• Print a copy of your SAR online.
• Access National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) information if you have received any previous financial aid.

Who is eligible for a PIN?

Anyone who has a Social Security number and is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen may apply for a PIN.

You can apply for a PIN by visiting the Department of Education's PIN website and select Apply for a PIN. It takes approximately 1–3 days to get a PIN, if you have a valid and current email address. If you do not have an email address, your PIN will be sent by regular postal mail. It takes about 7–10 days to receive it by mail.

I'm not sure if I want a student loan. What should I enter for the question asking if I am interested in student loans?

Answer "yes" so you do not limit your options. Most students do take out the student loans that are included in their financial aid award, but you are not obligated to accept any aid listed in your award letter. You can always decline loans if you decide that you do not want them.

What if I live with someone other than my parents? What do I have to report?

You must report any cash support given by this person as untaxed income but should not report in-kind support (such as food).

Why must I report the highest school level my parents completed?

Some states and schools make money available to support students who are first-generation college students. It also serves statistical purposes. If you don't know the answer, select "Other/unknown."

What should I do if the parent I live with is remarried and my step-parent refuses to supply information?

If you are a dependent student and your parent is remarried, your step-parent's information must be included. By signing the FAFSA, you agree to submit information verifying the accuracy of your completed form if requested. There are penalties for giving false or misleading information.

If I (the student) am separated but filed a joint tax return, how is the information reported?

You should give only your portion of the exemptions, income, and taxes paid.

Who qualifies to be counted in "number in college"?

Any person — not including parents — who is counted in the household and will be attending any term of the academic year at least half time. The enrolled family member must attend an eligible program at an eligible institution. You (the student) do not need to be enrolled half time to be counted in the number in college.

To be counted in the number in college, the person must be working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized education credential at a postsecondary school eligible to participate in federal student aid programs.

On my SAR there's a * after the EFC figure under the date. What does that mean?

Your FAFSA has been flagged for verification. You will need to supply documentation for the financial information on the FAFSA. This process is used to make sure the information student report is accurate. Verification prevents ineligible students from receiving aid by reporting false information and ensures that eligible students receive all the aid for which they are qualified.