One of the most important steps any student can take to pay for college is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application helps students know whether they are eligible for federal grants, work-study funds or loans. In some states, it is now a high school graduation requirement to complete it. It is also important to note that, despite popular opinion, the FAFSA does not pertain only to federal financial opportunities. Many colleges also use the FAFSA student data to determine eligibility for state or institutional aid, a term for internal scholarships and funding opportunities. Don't let the forms overwhelm you or keep you from applying. Simplify the process so you feel less intimidated while maximizing your financial aid opportunities in college.
HOW DO I APPLY AS A NEW STUDENT?
Because financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it can be challenging to get the full benefit of the FAFSA if you file your application after a school’s priority deadline. A priority deadline is the date for getting the best possible financial options from a school. At Berry College, our priority deadline for students filing the FAFSA is in February. If students hope to be eligible for signature scholarships, the deadline is even sooner. Students can complete the FAFSA after that deadline but there is no guarantee internal grants and scholarships will still be available.
GET READY
Next, get yourself prepared to meet the deadline. There are a few easy ways to get started.
Create an Account
First, create a free account at StudentAid.gov. You will need your own email address, date of birth and social security number.
Determine your contributors
Second, you will need to list your contributors. A contributor is a legal parent. According to the FAFSA, “A legal parent includes a biological parent, an adoptive parent or a person that the state has determined to be your parent (for example, when a state allows another person’s name to be listed as a parent on a birth certificate). No one else is considered a “legal parent” unless they have legally adopted you, including a stepparent. Understanding who your contributors are or whether you have contributors can be found on the FAFSA through this questionnaire resource or this video. They help students determine who to include on the form, especially in complex family circumstances.
File most recent taxes
Third, once you have determined whose information you need on the FAFSA, make sure you and your parents/contributor filed the taxes corresponding to two years prior to the FAFSA form. For instance, the 2025-26 FAFSA would use the tax information corresponding to the 2023 filing year. The FAFSA will ask for your consent to transfer your tax data to your FAFSA form, so this step is crucial.
Gather Information on all untaxed assets and income
Fourth, beyond your taxes, make a list of any saving accounts, untaxed income or assets, as the FAFSA will ask about them as a part of your application. Don’t be intimidated by the long list, as these kinds of assets don’t apply to many families. The FAFSA considers all these assets:
- Real estate (don’t include the home in which you live) and rental property (includes a unit within a family home that has its own entrance, kitchen and bath rented to someone other than a family member)
- Trust funds
- Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) accounts
- Money market funds
- Mutual funds
- Certificates of deposit
- Stocks and stock options
- Bonds securities
- Installment and land sale contracts (including mortgages held)
- Tax shelters
- Qualified education benefits or education savings accounts
Have information on these different assets ready to go when you begin to apply.
School Code
Finally, make sure you have a list of the schools you want to send the form to for institutional aid opportunities. In the FAFSA form, there is a drop-down list of schools by state, but frequently, colleges also list their school code on their financial aid website. With the digital FAFSA form, you can send your information to up to 20 schools for free.
DON’T THINK YOU WILL QUALIFY? THINK AGAIN.
Even if you don’t think you will qualify for need-based aid, you should still file the FAFSA. Many families mistakenly assume that they do not qualify for aid and miss out on financial aid opportunities offered by the U.S. Department of Education, their state and their college. The FAFSA is completely free and will facilitate your qualification for as much aid as possible while you explore different financial aid offers. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a FAFSA income cut-off.
APPLY
Typically, it takes about an hour to fill out the FAFSA, so make sure you have access to a computer and solid internet connection. Go slowly and avoid skipping or mistyping information. Having all your materials handy also keeps you from accidentally leaving entries blank. Here are other ways to prevent mistakes.
- Double-check important numbers – A typo in your social security or driver’s license number could create a real problem. Check them carefully.
- Use your legal name – Even if you go by your middle name or a nickname, not using your legal name could cause problems.
- 0 or “not applicable” – Leaving blanks can cause miscalculations on the FAFSA. Rather than leaving an answer blank, see if a 0 or N/A fits the context.
- Read the Contributor details again – Listing marital status incorrectly or not including a parent could create problems.
- Enter your primary address – If you’re working somewhere for the summer or visiting a relative, make sure you put your primary address.
- List your colleges – Don't forget to put where your FAFSA information should be sent!
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I SUBMIT?
Once you have submitted the FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education will send a FAFSA Submission Summary. Review this information and make sure all information is accurate. If you have included a school code such as Berry’s, the Office of Financial Aid should receive an electronic version of the FAFSA. You can also check in with this office.
LIFE HAPPENS
Sometimes, after a student submits the FAFSA, a family's situation changes due to special or unusual circumstances. If this is your case, make sure to contact the Office of Financial Aid where you are planning to attend so that they can guide you through the process of requesting a review of your financial aid application based on said circumstances. This review is known as Professional Judgment and may lead to the adjustment of certain data elements of the FAFSA. Financial aid administrators exercise Professional Judgment determinations based on supportive documentation provided by the student and on a case-by-case basis. Special circumstances may include the involuntary loss of a job or atypical medical expenses not covered by insurance.
Have more questions about the financial aid process at the college you hope to attend? Talk with your admissions counselor to find out whether you have a financial aid counselor you should contact. Once students are attending a school, they will work with the financial aid office rather than with their admissions counselor, so it’s not a bad idea to start building a relationship right away.
Want to learn more tips and tricks for paying for college? Check out this article that helps students think beyond the FAFSA about what they can afford for a college degree.
