TOP 5 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHILE FILING THE FAFSA
Filling out a FAFSA application is one of the most essential parts of any college application process. And though it is not the most exciting part of your college journey, it does require close attention and careful detail. So, to avoid delayed processing of your FAFSA application, make sure to fill it out correctly the first time by avoiding these common mistakes.
- Filling out incorrect SSN or driver’s license numbers: You need to check this field several times to ensure you wrote the numbers correctly, or your application may be delayed, or worse, denied.
- Entering the wrong federal income tax paid amount: You can find this amount on your income tax return forms from two years prior, not your W-2 form.
- Listing Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as equal to total income from working: In most cases, the AGI is larger than the total income for working, so keep that in mind.
- Failing to count yourself as a student: If you are preparing your FAFSA, you are still counted as a member of the household attending college during the award year. Remember, this is about you.
- Sending in hard copies of your income tax returns with your application: You do not need to include hard copies of these, and if you send them, they will be destroyed.
Find more information about these common mistakes and other mistakes to avoid here.
Good luck.
WRITTEN BY
STAFF WRITER
