The FAFSA – or Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is required for students who want help paying for college. The application is managed by the Department of Education and helps federal, state, and college-level programs allocate financial aid. This includes grants, federal work-study, and eligibility to qualify for student loans.
How much aid a student receives depends on a number of factors including their personal finances. Because many college students receive support from their parents, the entire family’s financial situation is also taken into account as part of the application process.
Filling out the FAFSA correctly is important if you’re expecting to receive financial aid to help pay for college.
Small errors can impact how much you receive or whether or not you receive financial aid at all. These are the 10 biggest FAFSA mistakes you’ll want to avoid.