Common Mistakes to Avoid on the FAFSA

Avoid mistakes on your FAFSA application and get the most of all your financial aid opportunities

Here are some of the most common mistakes students/parents make — and that you can avoid.

1. Forgetting to sign the application. Be sure both student and parent remember to sign. If you're submitting electronically you and your parent(s) should have a PIN (www.pin.ed.gov). 
2. For income reporting, parents often use their W-2 form. They should take the Adjusted Gross Income from their last 1040 federal tax return.
3. When reporting taxes paid, parents often use the taxes withheld on their W-2 form. They should list the actual taxes paid as shown on their last 1040 federal tax return.
4. Divorced parents sometimes include their ex-spouse's income. They should list only their own income and that of their current spouse.
5. Forgetting to fill out a separate application for a Direct Loan if required. Check with your college's financial aid office to verify how they process their student loans.
6. Forgetting to round off numbers to the nearest dollar.
7. Follow instructions. Use pencil as required for paper FAFSA.