There are currently two ways to access and complete the FAFSA:

• You can go to FAFSA on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete and submit your application online.
• If you prefer the traditional method, you can pick up a current FAFSA at most high schools, college financial aid offices, and public libraries.

Information You'll Need

The FAFSA requires a significant amount of personal and financial information about your family. Having the following records available will help speed the process:

• U.S. income tax returns for the fiscal year just ended. You'll need both your return and your parents' if you are a dependent student. If you haven't yet prepared your tax return, estimate your income.
• Records of untaxed income: Social Security benefits, aid to dependent children, child support, welfare, pensions, and veterans benefits.
• Business and investment records: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, CDs.
• Current bank statements and mortgage information.
• Records of medical expenses not covered by health insurance.
• Social Security numbers.

Filling Out the FAFSA

Making a mistake on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can seriously delay the processing of your application. So be diligent as you complete your form. Here are some valuable, timesaving tips for filling out your FAFSA.

Income Reporting

• Use the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return Form 1040, NOT the W-2, for reporting income and taxes paid.
• In the case of a family with divorced parents, the parent with whom the student lived the most during the past 12 months is responsible for filling out the FAFSA. This may not necessarily be the one with legal custody.
• If a single or divorced parent marries, the income and assets of the new spouse must be entered on the FAFSA.
• A legal dependent is a person for whom you provide and will continue to provide more than half of their support, which includes money, housing, food, clothing, loans, gifts, medical care, and college.

Avoiding Common Errors

• The #1 mistake when filing a FAFSA is leaving a question or field in the form blank. If the answer is zero or does not apply to you, put in a zero or mark "N/A".
• Read the instructions carefully.
• Pay close attention to how you write numbers, especially Social Security numbers and school codes. Are they legible?
• Double-check your answers.
• Proofread the application before submitting.
• Be sure that both the student and parent sign the form. If you submit an electronic signature, make sure you receive a confirmation.

Need Help?

If you have questions or need help completing the FAFSA, start with the Department of Education. Its web site has detailed instructions about Completing the FAFSA and how to report unusual circumstances. You can also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). If you have technical questions on submitting an electronic form, call 1-800-801-0576 (TDD: 800-551-5806).

Also check with a high school guidance counselor or a college Financial Aid Administrator. Often schools sponsor "FAFSA Night" where seasoned experts are available to answer your questions. Professional educational consultants will complete the form for you and provide guidance, but they charge a fee for their service.

Submit the Form

Before you submit the FAFSA, double-check the answers. Sign the form, make a copy of it, and file it in a safe place. This applies to electronic forms also. Print a copy for your records and make sure you get a confirmation of an electronic signature.

There are two ways you can submit your FAFSA.

1. By mail directly to the Department of Education's Central Processing Center.
2. By FAFSA on the Web. Complete and submit your form through the Internet.

Often you can significantly speed up your application processing if you submit your application online at FAFSA on the Web. If you choose to electronically submit the form but not the signatures, you still need to print, sign, and send in your signature page by mail right away.

Follow Up

After submitting your FAFSA, it is a good idea to check its status. To find out if it has been processed, call the Department of Education at 1-800-4FED-AID. After providing your Social Security number and date of birth, the service will tell you whether your FAFSA has been processed. Or you can visit FAFSA on the Web.

Several weeks after submitting the FAFSA, look for your Student Aid Report in the mail. It will contain your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

SAR

What is the SAR?

You'll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) approximately four to six weeks after you submit the FAFSA to the Department of Education. This report is generated from your family's financial information you provided on the FAFSA and indicates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or the amount your family is expected to contribute to your college education. The EFC listed on your SAR will determine the amount of financial aid you will receive.

Each school listed on your FAFSA (up to six) will also receive a copy of your SAR. The school's Financial Aid Office will use the information contained in the SAR to determine your total aid package, including loan eligibility and Federal Work-Study qualification.

Once you have received your SAR, it is a good idea to check with the Financial Aid Offices at the schools where you applied. Make sure that they have received all the documents needed to process your application for financial aid. Often, colleges have their own forms and deadlines for applying for financial aid.

Sending Your SAR to More Schools

If you want to send your SAR to more than six schools, there are several ways to accomplish this without spending any money.

• Provide the schools with your Social Security number and the data release number (DRN) listed on the SAR. The school will then be able to download an electronic version.
• Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 (TTY 1-800-730-8913) and request duplicate copies be sent to you.
• Go to FAFSA on the Web. Select "Entering a FAFSA Online." Choose the "Request Duplicate Student Aid Report" option and complete the form.

Go to FAFSA Corrections on the Web and add more schools by submitting a correction to your FAFSA information.

Check Your Student Aid Report Carefully!

As soon as your SAR arrives in the mail, check it carefully for mistakes. Compare the information listed on the SAR to your copy of the FAFSA you submitted. Do they match?

Special Note:

If you are a male age 18 - 25, check your Selective Service indicator. When your FAFSA is processed, the Selective Service database is checked to see if you have registered. The results of this check are listed on your SAR. If you are a male age 18 to 25 who hasn't yet registered with the Selective Service, you are not eligible for student financial aid. You can register at the Post Office, at your high school, online at www.sss.gov or by checking a box on the FAFSA form.

Incorrect Data?

If you find incorrect data, there are two ways to correct it.

• Fix any mistakes by writing the correct answers on the SAR and mailing it to the designated address.
• Enter your corrections online at FAFSA Corrections on the Web.

You can also contact the Financial Aid Office at the school you plan to attend to see if the school can send the corrections electronically.