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Going to college in Fall 2021? - Now is the time to complete the FAFSA Thumbnail

Going to college in Fall 2021? - Now is the time to complete the FAFSA

Education Planning

If you have a child who is a senior in high school and is planning to attend college in the Fall of 2021, October is the time to begin the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.  By submitting your application, you will be considered for financial aid, grant money, and a number of possible scholarships by  the colleges your child applies to.   The information you provide on the FAFSA form is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution or EFC.   This is the amount of money that colleges expect you  to spend on your child's college education annually.   Once completed, your FAFSA results are sent to colleges that you choose.  The school will then determine your eligibility to receive financial aid.  The amount you will be eligible for is based on each school's  cost of college attendance (COA) which includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies, and transportation.   You will be eligible for financial aid if your EFC is lower than the school's COA.   For example, if the school's COA is $25,000 per year and your EFC is $15,000, you will b eligible for $10,000 in financial aid.

If this is your first time filling out a FAFSA form, it can seem daunting, but the eight must know information below can help you prepare for what to expect and will help the process go more smoothly for you.

1. Everyone Should File

Even if you think the income in your household is too high to qualify, you might be surprised. College can be expensive, and FAFSA takes this into account as well as the number of people in the household and basic living costs that a family can face. You may be entitled to scholarships, grants, or even low-interest loans with much more borrower-friendly terms, so it is definitely worth the short period of time it takes to file. 

2. It Needs to Be Filed Every Year

Unfortunately qualifying one year does not mean qualifying the next as income and expenses can change over time. Much of the information they request for FAFSA is from your tax return, so a good rule of thumb is that when it comes time for tax season it is time to refile your FAFSA. The good news is that after filing the first time, most of the information will be pre-filled, so all you have to do is make adjustments. 

3. If You Are Granted Aid You Will Still Need to Accept It

Once your FAFSA application has been reviewed, you will be given a letter showing you the aid that is available to you and this same information will be reported to the college you plan to attend. Receiving this letter does not start the funding. You will be required to accept what aid you wish to utilize before it can be disbursed.

4. File as Early as You Can

Your FAFSA can be submitted as early as October 1st, and even though you may not be approved until your tax return is processed to verify the information, it can be to your benefit to file early. Some forms of financial aid have more limited funds and will offer it to students on a first come, first serve basis.  Each state has their own deadline so be sure to check with your state.  For more information on what your filing deadlines are go to:  https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/fafsa-deadlines

5. You Will First Need to Register for an FSA ID

Before you begin working on your FAFSA forms, you will be assigned an FSA ID which will identify you throughout the paperwork process. It is important to note that each person on the application will need to obtain their own ID, so both the student and a parent will need to file for an FSS ID. Make sure to write down this ID as it will be used multiple times throughout the filing and acceptance process. This ID will also serve as your electronic signature during the filing process. 

6. You Can Edit Your FAFSA

If anything changes that was submitted on your FAFSA form, you are required to edit it even if it has already been submitted. This can include a change in dependency or the number of household members. You also will be able to make any corrections that were simple errors during filing. This can be done for every section accept the social security number.

7. Include All the Schools You Have Interest in

Even if you have your heart set on one school, it does not hurt to fill in any other school you might consider attending. You can enter up to 10 schools, and each of these schools will receive your FAFSA information. Schools will use this information to let you know which scholarships and other financial aid you may qualify for that is specific to their school. Sometimes the amount may be just enough to sway your decision. 

8. Report Everything Accurately

The FAFSA form is a government form that is thoroughly checked for accuracy. By failing to report everything accurately, in hopes of qualifying you for more, can get you banned from applying for financial aid in the future and actually result in legal consequences. To avoid costly mistakes, make sure that you have all of your financial information and tax returns in front of you so you can ensure the best accuracy.  Keep in mind that the FAFSA uses your tax return from 2 years from the planned school year.  For example, if your applying for the 2021-2022 school year, you will need to submit your 2019 tax return.

Preparing for college can take a lot of paperwork, research, and fortitude.  With the rising costs to attend college, securing financial aid is becoming more important than ever. Take advantage of the benefits FAFSA can provide for your college funding by making sure to file for it each year. By knowing what to expect and being properly prepared you will find the process less daunting and more likely to be rewarding. 

For more information on how to obtain financial aid go to:  https://studentaid.gov/

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Attune Financial Planning. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information only.