COMMON FAFSA ERRORS

Teresa Stover, Loan Processing CoordinatorMessiah College

WHO’S INFORMATION IS IT ANYWAY?

Parents complete the FAFSA and become confused as to whose information the application is asking for. They list their information in the parent section and again in the student section.When the FAFSA asks for information for “you” or “your” they want the student’s information

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Is it Joey or Joseph? The student or parent uses a nickname in place of the “given” name or name on the Social Security Card.

Is your last name really Malina90210? The student or parent is multi-tasking and mispells their name.

SLOW DOWN AND CHECK THE SOCIAL SECURITY CARD

Incorrect social security number used. Mom or dad completes the FAFSA and uses the SS# of a sibling and not the student.

Incorrect date of birth.

IT MAKES NO “CENTS”

Neglecting to round to the dollar so $2,525.76 becomes $252,576.

Listing the same amount for AGI as wages and as taxes paid.

Using the amount of taxes withheld from the W-2

HE/SHE IS NOT MY PARENT

Using information from both biological parents when those parents are divorced

Not listing the step-parent’s information

DATA RETRIEVAL TOOL

Checking recently submitted Entering the address

differently than it appears on the tax return

Linking to the site but leaving without transferring the information

FILL IN THE BLANKS

If the item doesn’t apply use the number 0. Students and parents frequently fail to answer questions.

DEPENDENCY STATUS

What is providing more than half the support of a child?

Who is a veteran? What is legal guardianship?

WHAT ARE NOT ASSETS

Claiming the amount in a retirement account.

Claiming the value of a small family owned business

Claiming the cash value of life insurance

ALL THE REST

Not including the student in the Household size

Filling out the FAFSA but not signing and submitting it.

Making changes to the FAFSA but not submitting the changes.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY

Questions or comments?

*The names used today have been changed to protect the innocent.