FAFSA Tips and Tricks for Students and Families

If you’re getting ready to file the FAFSA, there’s a good chance you’ve already heard some version of, “Make sure you fill it out early.”

I’ve walked families through this process professionally, and I’ve navigated college decisions with my own children. In both roles, I’ve learned that the FAFSA feels a lot less intimidating when you know what to expect before you start.

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is an important part of the college process, but it doesn’t have to take over your evening. A little preparation can make the whole experience much easier.

Here are a few tips I share with families.

1. Don’t Assume You Won’t Qualify

One of the biggest FAFSA mistakes happens before anyone opens the application: deciding not to complete it.

Family income is only one factor in determining financial aid eligibility. Even if you assume your family won’t qualify for aid, complete the FAFSA anyway. The FAFSA can be used to determine eligibility for several types of aid, so complete it even if you’re unsure what your student might receive.

You have enough college decisions to make already. Don’t make this decision for the financial aid office.

2. Get Your Accounts Set Up First

Before sitting down to complete the FAFSA, make sure the student and any required contributors have access to their StudentAid.gov accounts.

Do this before you sit down to complete the FAFSA. Trust me, you don’t want to get halfway through and discover someone needs to create an account, reset a password, or figure out which email address they used.

3. Gather What You Need Before You Start

A little organization goes a long way. Have important financial and personal information nearby before beginning.

Before you sit down to complete the FAFSA, gather things like:

• Federal income tax records or related income information you may need to reference
• Records of child support received, if applicable
• Current balances for checking and savings accounts
• Records of investments and other reportable assets
• A list of colleges your student is considering

The FAFSA will guide you through what information is required, but gathering documents first means less stopping, searching, and texting someone in another room asking, “Do you know where we put that?”

4. Slow Down and Read Each Question

The FAFSA isn’t a race. Slow down and read each question carefully.

Pay close attention to whether a question is asking about the student or a parent or contributor. Double-check names, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and other identifying information before submitting.

Twenty extra seconds of reviewing an answer can save you considerably more time later.

5. Add Every College You’re Considering

Your student doesn’t need to know where they’re enrolling before completing the FAFSA. Add every college they’re seriously considering so each institution can receive the FAFSA information it needs to determine financial aid eligibility and prepare an aid offer.

If Concordia University Texas is on the list, our federal school code is 003557.

And remember, you don’t have to navigate financial aid alone. Ask questions. Talk with admissions and financial aid teams. We work with families through this process every day.

The FAFSA probably won’t be the most exciting thing your family does during the college search. That’s okay. Complete it anyway. Give yourself time, ask questions when you need help, and don’t make assumptions about what your student may or may not qualify for. The goal is to understand all of your options before making one of the biggest decisions of the college journey.