FAFSA

FAFSA Tips    Completing FAFSA

FAFSA – Purpose

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine how much you and your family can afford to pay for college. The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is used by colleges to determine how much need-based grants and loans you are eligible for. 

FAFSA Tips

• FAFSA on the web is the preferred method of filing the FAFSA form. Filing on the web will prompt you to review information that appears inconsistent, force you to answer all questions that must be answered and speed up the processing of your application by approximately three weeks.

• If you use a different internet address you may be using the services of a "for-profit" business and you may be charged to process the application.

• You must either sign the form using a student (and parent) PIN number or print and mail a completed signature page to the federal processor. Your form will be rejected and you may miss a deadline if you fail to sign your application by one of these methods.

• Use FAFSA on the web if filing near the July 1 Iowa Tuition Grant deadline to make sure that the deadline is met.

Completing the FAFSA

Read and follow the FAFSA instructions carefully. If you have questions, ask for assistance.

• Do not skip questions unless specifically instructed to do so. If the answer to a question is zero, answer with "0". Do not write N/A or notes in the margins if filing the paper FAFSA. Report whole dollar amounts, no cents.

• "You and your" refers to the student, not the parent.

• Make sure that the social security number (SSN) you list and the spelling of the student name exactly match that listed on the social security card. The information you list will be matched against a database at the Social Security Administration. If the name and SSN listed do not match exactly, it will delay your receipt of financial aid.

• Funding for many programs is limited. Make sure you know and meet all necessary deadlines. Be sure to complete the entire form as instructed. If you do not supply all required information, your application may be rejected and you may miss the deadline. The Iowa Tuition Grant deadline is July 1. Your form must be received at the processor (not simply mailed) by this date.

• Keep copies of 2007 federal tax returns for the student and parent for verification purposes, as well as a copy of the completed FAFSA.

• Do not send copies of tax returns, guardianship papers, divorce decrees, etc. to the processor.