Tips for Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
File Online. The best way to apply for financial aid is to apply online. The paper application can take up to 10 weeks to process, and if you make a mistake, it can take 5 or 6 more. By contrast, if you file online, your colleges will have the necessary information within 3-4 business days.
Have Your 2010 Tax Return Completed. The FAFSA asks for this year’s tax information. If you will not have your 2010 returns completed before the filing deadline, you will need to estimate, and then make corrections once you’ve filed. This can delay your financial aid processing. However, if you cannot get your tax return finished before the FAFSA filing deadline, go ahead and use the estimate – DO NOT WAIT FOR THE TAX RETURN!
Be Aware of Deadlines. DO NOT FOLLOW THE DEADLINE PRINTED ON THE FAFSA. Each individual college has its own filing deadline, typically between January 15th and March 1st. Check with the admissions office of each college you’ve applied to – make sure you file the FAFSA before the due date.
ListNJ State Colleges First on the FAFSA. The FAFSA asks you to list the colleges that you would like your information sent to. If you are applying to a NJ public school, (Rutgers, TCNJ, etc.), list those schools at the top. If you do not, you will miss out on financial aid provided by the state.
Register for the Selective Service. If you are male, you are required to register for the Selective Service when you turn 18 in order to be eligible for financial aid. There is a section on the FAFSA you can fill out to get yourself registered without filling out additional paperwork.
How Do I File Online???
1.Go to . You and one parent/guardian must register for a PIN number. This will be your secure access to your FAFSA online.
2.Once you have secured a PIN, fill out the Pre-Application Worksheet. DO NOT use the paper version of the FAFSA as your worksheet, because the questions are in a different order.
3.Log in and fill out the FAFSA. The computer will notify you if you have made an error (another benefit of applying online!).
4.Follow the directions as provided on the website.