The FAFSA

swimcatsmom
Mon, 27 Dec 2010 01:06:51 +0000

Ask it on the financial aid page.

First make sure you and your Dad each have a PIN number. This is required to electronically sign your FAFSA. Do that now - it is easy and is one thing less to worry about later. Plus if you hit any snafus (we had problems with my sons when he first applied for aid - took a few days to sort out which is frustrating if you have deadlines to meet).

make sure you go to the correct govt website.
[Home - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid](http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/)
there are websites out there that ask you to pay - those are commercial websites, not the correct govt website.

You cannot file it before January 1st.

You will need 2010 tax information and tax returns. Your parents and your own (if you have income). If you have not done 2010 tax returns (which of course you will not have yet) you can enter estimated numbers and correct them later.

You will also need information about assets, real estate (excluding your primary home), investments (excluding retirement accounts such as IRAs). and savings. You are supposed to report their values as of the day you file FAFSA.

I have never found completing FAFSA to be too difficult. If you have all the data assembled it should not take more than about half an hour to an hour.