The FAFSA

Help on Completing the FAFSA

Information for After Submitting the FAFSA

Common Myths:

“I’m not going to bother filling out the FAFSA because…”

1. “…my parents make too much money so I won’t qualify for aid.”

There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors besides income—from the size of your family to the age of your older parent—are taken into account. Your eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula, not by your parents’ income alone.

2. “…only students with good grades get financial aid.”

While a high grade point average will help a student get into a good school and may help with academic scholarships, most of the federal student aid programs do not take a student’s grades into consideration.

3. “…the form is too hard to fill out.”

The FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at www.fafsa.gov. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help, you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer service representative. If you’re filling out the paper FAFSA, you can get help from a high school counselor, from the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or from the Federal Student Aid Information Center’s toll-free number: 1-800-4-FED-AID. And remember, the FAFSA and all these sources of advice are FREE.