Common FAFSA Errors

Avoid common mistakes made by others filling out the FAFSA.

Students often make four critical errors when applying for financial aid.

• Incomplete applications (e.g., no signature).
• Typos (e.g., transposing numbers, decimal point errors).
• Missed deadlines.
  • While there is no federal application deadline, per se, most schools require students to submit the FAFSA and other financial aid application documents by a priority filing date. Students who miss school deadlines are frequently offered less financial aid or are offered more loans and less grant funds.
• Missing supplemental applications or documents.

Students should be encouraged to check and double check that they have submitted all required forms.