Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Avoid the FIVE MOST COMMON FAFSA Mistakes
- Do not leave a field blank. Use a zero if the question does not apply to you.
- Don’t forget to report ALL required sources of untaxed income, such as Social Security or child support.
- Use the 1040 Federal tax return (2007 version) for reporting income and taxes paid, not the W-2.
- Include yourself in your parents’ household size, even if you didn’t live with them the previous year.
- Sign the application using your PIN and parent PIN if you are a dependent student.
Good luck with the FAFSA and as always feel free to contact us in Financial Aid for any questions that may arise.
What is the FAFSA?
- FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- FAFSA is the form the federal government uses to determine you eligibility for aid
- This includes grants, work-study, scholarships, and loans
How do I apply for the FAFSA?
- If you applied for the FAFSA last year you will use your PIN number to renew application
- You may go to www.fafsa.ed.gov on the web to apply for FAFSA
When do I apply for the FAFSA?
- Each year the FAFSA comes available on January 1,
- The earlier you apply the better the chances of receiving aid as funds may be limited the longer you wait.
- Priority date of March 01, 2008 for optimal packaging.
Why apply for the FAFSA?
- To determine what financial aid you may receive
- Even if you may not qualify for federal aid, being rejected may be a prerequisite for receiving private awards
How does it work?
Using your FAFSA, the federal processor determines your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), or the amount of money your family can be expected to contribute to your college costs each year.
Ozarks will try to meet your needs through a financial aid award made up of funds from federal, state, school and private sources as well as grants, student employment and loans.
