The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key to unlocking money for college—grants, scholarships, work-study and low-interest loans. The form determines how much federal, state and school-based aid you qualify for… but every year, millions of students either skip it, miss deadlines or make small mistakes that cost them thousands of dollars in aid. With a few smart moves, you can make sure you don’t miss out on any free money!
Let’s take a look at some essential FAFSA tips that every student should know and why they actually matter:
1. Apply Early – Don’t Wait
FAFSA opened on December 1, 2024, for the 2025-2026 school year, and even though the Federal deadline isn’t until June 30, 2026, many states and colleges have priority deadlines much earlier. FAFSA funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Grants can be distributed months before the federal deadline, and once those funds run out, they’re gone, even if you qualify.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Submitting early means you’ll be considered for the full range of aid, including state grants, school-based aid and work-study programs that can fill up quickly.
*Pro tip: Aim to submit the FAFSA within the first month of it opening to maximize your chances and give you more time to plan!
2. Get Your Documents Ready First
Before you start the application, take a few minutes to gather everything you’ll need. Having your information handy makes the process smoother and faster. You’ll need:
- Your Social Security Number (and parents’/guardians’ if dependent)
- Tax returns and W-2s
- Records of untaxed income (i.e. child support or veterans’ benefits)
- Bank statements and investment records
- A list of colleges you want your FAFSA sent to (up to 20)
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Having everything ready helps you avoid logging in multiple times, reduces errors and makes the entire experience less stressful.
*Pro tip: Create a digital or physical “FAFSA Folder” where you keep all related documents, confirmations and emails in one place!
3. Make Sure Everyone Has an FSA ID
Every person who contributes to your FAFSA—you, your parents/guardians or your spouse—must have their own FSA ID that’s used to sign and submit the form electronically. This year, each contributor must also use their FSA ID to consent to the IRS data transfer.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
If a contributor doesn’t have an FSA ID or forgets their password, it can delay your submission or even prevent it from being processed.
*Pro tip: Set up FSA IDs at least a few days before starting your FAFSA to allow time for verification!
4. Use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDE)
This year, the IRS data-sharing process is automatic and required. Once you and your contributors give consent, FAFSA will securely import your tax information from the IRS, so you won’t need to manually enter it!
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
This reduces typos, mismatched income data and other errors that can trigger FAFSA rejections.
*Pro tip: Make sure everyone who needs to contribute consents to the data exchange — if even one person declines, your FAFSA can’t be processed!
5. Don’t Assume You Won’t Qualify
Every year, billions of dollars in federal aid go unclaimed — mostly because students assume they won’t qualify. Even if you don’t get Pell Grants, your FAFSA still determines eligibility for:
- Low-interest federal loans
- Work-study programs
- State grants and scholarships
- College-specific aid that requires FAFSA completion
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Submitting the FAFSA keeps options open. Many scholarships and colleges won’t even consider you unless you’ve completed it, even for merit-based awards.
*Pro tip: The only downside to not filing is missing out on free money!
6. Know Which Parents Information to Use
If your parents are divorced or separated, report the parent who provided the most financial support over the past year — not necessarily the one you live with most. If that parent has remarried, you’ll also need to include your stepparent’s information. The new FAFSA even includes a Parent Wizard tool to help figure this out.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Reporting the wrong parent can cause inconsistencies that delay your FAFSA or lower your aid eligibility.
*Pro tip: If both parents support you equally, use the parent with the higher income — that’s what FAFSA will default to!
7. Double Check Everything Before Submitting
Simple errors can cause big problems. Make sure:
- Your name matches your Social Security Care exactly (NO nicknames).
- Your birthdate and SSN are correct
- You list your correct school codes
- Parent income matches the IRS data
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Typos or small mistakes can lead to processing delays or cause your FAFSA to be rejected entirely. That can make you miss priority deadlines and lose aid eligibility.
*Pro tip: Have a parent or counselor review your form before submitting — a second set of eyes helps catch errors!
8. Watch For Verification Requests
After you submit your FAFSA, some students are randomly selected for verification, meaning your college needs to double-check your information with documents like tax returns or W-2s.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Verification doesn’t mean you did something wrong — it’s just part of the process. But if you don’t respond quickly, your financial aid could be delayed or even canceled.
*Pro tip: Check your email and your school’s financial aid portal regularly after submitting the FAFSA. Respond to verification requests immediately to avoid losing aid.
9. Compare Offers Carefully
Once you get accepted to schools, you’ll receive financial aid offer letters from each one. Look closely at what’s included and pay attention to:
- Grants and Scholarships: Free money you don’t have to pay back
- Loans: Borrowed money (look at interest rates and repayment terms)
- Work-study: Campus jobs to help cover expenses
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
A school that offers a smaller “total aid package” might actually cost less out of pocket if it includes more grants and fewer loans.
*Pro tip: Use the net cost = (total cost – free aid) to compare schools!
10. Keep Records and Stay Organized
Once your FAFSA is submitted, keep a copy of everything — your confirmation email, Student Aid Report (SAR), tax documents and any communications from schools.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Having your records makes it easier to fix mistakes, complete verification or reapply next year. If you ever need to appeal your aid package due to changes in your financial situation, it also helps to have this information handy.
*Pro tip: Save digital copies in a folder on your computer or cloud storage, and name files by year (e.g., “FAFSA_2025-26_Confirmation.pdf”).
FAFSA is the gateway to making your future affordable. By starting early, double-checking your details and keeping everything organized, you can make sure to get every dollar qualified for. Take the time to do it right — your future (and your wallet!) will thank you. Be sure to check out other financial aid and FAFSA resources on Earn Up.
