1. How to Get the Best
Financial Aid Package for
College
CollegeWeekLive
StudentAdvisor.com
Dean Tsouvalas, Editor-in-Chief

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4. 1. Fill out the FAFSA!
It all starts with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

5. 53% of eligible families do not
bother applying for aid through
the FAFSA leaving millions on the
table.

6. The FAFSA determines
your eligibility for
financial aid such as
grants and federal
student loans.
Most need-based scholarships
are based on your FAFSA score.

7. You can do it all online at
FAFSA.ed.gov

8. 2. Common FAFSA Mistakes
(and how to avoid them)

9. Incorrect Double and
Social
Security or triple check
driver’s these
license numbers.
number.

10. Leaving spaces
blank.
Write “0” or NA when
applicable.

11. Using decimal
points or
commas.
Always round to the
nearest dollar!

12. Other common FAFSA mistakes…
Not sending the FAFSA to every school you’ve
applied to. You can include up to 10 colleges per FAFSA. You will
need each college’s Federal School Code.
Forgetting to sign and date. If you’re filling out the paper FAFSA
be sure to sign it. If you’re filing electronically, be sure to obtain your PIN
from www.pin.ed.gov. Your PIN is your electronic signature and will
always be assigned to you only.
Waiting to file FAFSA until you submit the most
recent income tax return.You can estimate your taxes.

13. 3. On the day you file, make sure your
parent has as little cash in checking,
savings and other cash-equivalents as
possible.

14. 4. Students:
Always file a tax
return, even if
you aren’t
making any
money.

15. 5. Compare
financial aid
packages from
different
schools
closely.

16. 6. Remember: grades have
little to do with financial
aid awards.

17. 2012-2013 FAFSA Deadlines
• Federal Deadline:
Online applications must be submitted by
midnight Central Time, June 30, 2013.
Any corrections or updates must be submitted
by midnight Central Time, September 15,
2013.
• State Deadlines:
Each state has a different deadline. See the list
2012 - 2013 FAFSA Deadlines