FAFSA Filing Tips
File your FAFSA correctly by following these tips and your aid will be processed faster.
- Apply for financial aid using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the upcoming year as soon as possible after January 1st.
- Apply each year that you wish to receive aid. It's okay to use estimated income figures if you have not yet completed your federal income tax returns; you can correct them later when you have the final figures.
- Read the directions carefully. Don't skip items you don't understand. For help, call 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243), or consult your high school guidance counselor or college financial aid office.
- Verify that the student's and parent's social security numbers are correct. An error will cause significant delays.
- Dependent students must report parent income and asset information on the FAFSA. Do not report a grandparent or other relative's information even if you are living with and/or being supported by that person.
- Use your Department of Education PIN to sign the online application. If either the student or the parent fails to do so, processing will be delayed.
- For Michigan Competitive Scholarship consideration, the federal processor must receive your FAFSA information by March 1st.
- If your family assets include any of the following, see Education Savings Plans for information on how to report them on the FAFSA:
- 529 Savings Plans
- Michigan Education Trust (MET)
- Michigan Education Savings Plan (MESP)
- Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly Education IRA)
- Uniform Gift to Minors Act (UGMA) or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA)
- 529 Savings Plans
