14 Tips For Completing The FAFSA

By http://www.trioprograms.org/

1) "Your" means student information, not parent information

2) Question #13 - must be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen to receive aid

3) Question #30 - enter "0" for new college freshman

4) Question #35 - do not leave blank

5) Income information - provide actual figures if available; otherwise, make estimates and correct later using the Student Aid Report

6) Worksheets A and B is untaxed income

7) Worksheet C is exclusions to income

8) Keep Worksheets A, B, and C as you may have to provide or duplicate them at a later date

9) Assets

a. Report net worth (current value minus debt)
b. Do not include primary residence
c. Do not include pensions, non-education IRA
d. Education / Roth IRA - report the value, but it may be excluded later ----by submitting exceptional circumstances appeal

10) Parent information is for custodial parent and his or her current spouse

11) Question #64 - number of people in the household

a. Include student
b. Include other students who are dependent for financial aid purposes
c. Include other dependents if parents provide more than 1/2 of their support

12) Question #65 - number in college

a. Include the student
b. Do not include parents

13) Step Six - list schools to receive FAFSA

a. Use school codes available on the FAFSA website (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw0203/fslookup.htm). California students must list a California university in the top three to apply for Cal Grant

14) Signatures - must be signed by student and a parent

a. E-signatures or paper signatures