Common Mistakes Families Make on the FAFSA

If you're filling out the FAFSA^® this year, you'll want to make sure you do it correctly. Entering in wrong information (or putting the right information in the wrong places) can significantly impact the financial aid you receive from colleges and universities. We compiled some of the most popular errors made on the FAFSA by students and families. Review this list in order to avoid these common mistakes when you complete the application.

Missing a school's deadline

It's so important to submit your FAFSA by the deadline set by each college and university. The FAFSA typically becomes available each year on October 1^st, so it's really best to submit the FAFSA as soon after October 1^st as you can. However the FAFSA will not be available until approximately December 1, 2024 for families completing the 2025-26 application. Submit the FAFSA, therefore, as soon as possible after it becomes available in December. By doing so, you'll be sure to meet each school's deadline, and, if any school distributes financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis, you'll be at the front of the line for any available funding.

Putting parent info in the student section

You'll need to provide financial information for both the student and the parent(s) on the FAFSA. Be sure to read your instructions carefully and put the correct information into each field. Reporting parent financial information in the student section by mistake will make the student look far wealthier that is actually the case, and will likely significantly lower your family's eligibility for financial aid.

Using a nickname

Don't use a nickname on the FAFSA. Enter the student's full official name as it appears on his or her Social Security card. If you use a nickname, the Department of Education will mark your FAFSA with an error flag, and you'll need to correct the name before the student can receive any financial aid.

Forgetting to add schools

When you initially complete the FAFSA, you may not have finalized your college list. If you decide to apply to a college after you submit your FAFSA, remember to log in to your FAFSA and add that school to your list of colleges. If you already have 20 college listed, you can always delete a school from your FAFSA list (as long as you've already submitted your FAFSA info to that school) and add the names of the new schools.

Using the wrong Social Security number

Double check that you've used the correct SSN for the student. Providing an incorrect number will lead to a FAFSA error and will hold up the student receiving any financial aid.

If you'd like more information about completing the FAFSA, watch our Understanding the FAFSA Webinar. It provides a step-by-step overview of filling in the application, and offers tips and resources to help you through the process. The webinar is available for viewing on our website anytime.

Watch the Understanding the FAFSA webinar