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FAFSA on your to-do list? Follow these FAFSA dos and don’ts

March 24, 2025 Paying for College
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While the FAFSA has become much easier to fill out, there are still some steps you can take to make sure the process goes smoothly!  

Do create your studentaid.gov ID early. 

If this is your first year completing the FAFSA, make sure you create your ID early! The ID goes through a verification process that can take a few days. It won’t be possible to create your ID and complete the FAFSA on the same day. Instead, gather everything you need (social security number, personal email address, personal phone number) and create your ID a few days before you complete the FAFSA. 

Do gather all your information ahead of time. 

Completing the FAFSA is easier if you have all the required information in one place. Make sure you grab: 

  • The tax return two years prior to the academic year 
  • Example: If you’re enrolling in the Fall of 2025, you’ll need your 2023 tax information 
  • Your bank statements and assets  
  • Your studentaid.gov ID 
  • The names of schools you are applying to 
  • Your parents’ information, including date of birth and social security numbers 
  • If they don’t have a social security number, that is okay!  

Do fill out the application early. 

While the federal government doesn’t award student aid based on when the FAFSA is completed, some schools award financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earlier you apply the more money you may be eligible for. Always look at your school’s financial aid deadlines – make sure you complete the FAFSA by their priority deadline! 

Do complete the FAFSA online. 

It takes about 30 minutes and is much easier than the paper version. Plus, this makes adding your tax information easier. If your consent to the use of tax information, it can be directly transferred from the IRS into your FAFSA form – saving a lot of time! 

Don’t skip the FAFSA. 

Most people qualify for some type of aid, and schools use the FAFSA to award their own need-based aid! The FAFSA is the first step toward paying for college and might open additional options that you hadn’t considered because you didn’t think they were possible. Remember, you’re not obligated to take loans that are offered to you, so it doesn’t hurt to see what aid you can qualify for!  

Don’t feel intimated by the FAFSA. 

Financial aid can be a stressful process, but the FAFSA doesn’t have to be! The FAFSA has been updated to help streamline the financial aid process to make it easier for families to complete. Gather what you need, take your time, and let us help! We’ve helped hundreds of families file their FAFSA and we’d love to help you. We offer free one-on-one appointments in-person or virtually. Make an appointment with our education and career pathways team.   

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