As college gets more expensive each year, students rely more frequently on financial aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help offset the costs of higher education. However, many students make simple mistakes that can cost them thousands of dollars in grants or scholarships each year. Here are five crucial FAFSA steps you need to follow so you can get the best financial aid offers possible.
1. Actually fill out the FAFSA
Filling out the FAFSA is one of the most crucial steps to receiving financial aid for college. Contrary to common misconceptions, the FAFSA (and CSS Profile) are not just for students with extreme financial need; all students, regardless of economic background, should complete the FAFSA every year they plan to be enrolled in college.
The FAFSA considers various factors, including income level, family size, assets, and dependency status. Each year, billions of dollars in federal, state, and institutional aid go unclaimed because many students don’t ever file the FAFSA. While it may take a little time to complete, the potential financial benefits make it well worth the effort.
Related: Top 10 Things to Remember Before Filing the FAFSA
2. Submit the FAFSA ASAP
A new FAFSA application traditionally opens on October 1 each year (though the opening date has been pushed to December the past couple of cycles, so be sure to stay up-to-date on any potential delays). It’s beneficial for you to fill it out as soon as it opens, whenever that may be.
Many states and organizations that give out larger financial packages or aid that doesn't need to be paid back will also have early deadlines, often before the new year. These grants, scholarships, and other aid programs often operate on a first-come, first-served system, and you'll give yourself the best chance to earn better aid offers by applying early. You can find a full list of FAFSA deadlines on the US Department of Education's website.
3. Complete the correct form
Unfortunately, some people have created look-alike websites to trick people into putting in their financial data or credit card information. Before filling out the FAFSA, check to ensure you are on studentaid.gov, which is the only official FAFSA website.
Also make sure you’re filing the form for the correct year. For example, if you’re planning to enroll in college for the 2025–2026 academic year, make sure you’re selecting the form for that year and not one from a past cycle. Filling out the right form ensures you get all the financial aid you’re entitled to for the upcoming school year.
Related: 5 Common Tricks Fraudsters Are Using to Target Students
4. Add all your schools
One of the biggest FAFSA mistakes students make is not adding all their schools to their form. Initially, you can add 20 colleges and universities, but after you receive your FAFSA Submission Summary (previously known as the Student Aid Report or SAR), you can send your FAFSA information to all the schools on your list. Even if you replace one school’s code with another one, it will never delete your financial information from that university's system.
5. Take the time to finish it and file
The FAFSA takes a little time to do, but it’s well worth it. In fact, a study by the National College Access Network (NCAN) found that seniors who finish the FAFSA are 63% more likely to enroll in a university than those who don’t. For many students, it should take less than an hour to complete, though it may take longer for families with more complex financial situations. You can even start the application and come back to it later, but you should aim to complete it as soon as possible.
While this financial aid process might seem complicated, it has been made easier by recent streamlining efforts, which reduced the number of questions from over 100 to around 36 starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA. Completing this form is a necessary step in preparing for college, as it can help make education more affordable by providing access to federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
Related: 5 Little-Known Secrets to Getting More Gift Aid for College
The FAFSA can be majorly helpful in your ability to pay for college, and if you do it carefully, you can maximize your aid package to get the most possible help. No one wants to spend their four years of college stressing about their financial situation. So put yourself in a good spot by using these tips to complete the financial aid process in the most beneficial way.
Another way to reduce the cost of higher education is with scholarships. Find free money for college now with our Scholarship Search tool!
