If you’re interested in applying for federal financial aid for college, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While there are some changes and simplifications to be expected year-to-year, the FAFSA is essentially a detailed application where you share your personal and financial information. That information is then used to help determine how much federal aid you can qualify for.
But making mistakes on your FAFSA can negatively impact your financial aid offers. Here are several common FAFSA mistakes to avoid when applying for federal financial aid.
1. Completing the FAFSA late or not at all
You’ll need to complete the FAFSA by a certain date to be eligible for federal student aid. If you need federal aid for fall 2026, your FAFSA must be submitted by June 30, 2026. Failing to submit it by the deadline will mean you won’t receive aid offers for that academic year.
You don’t need to wait until the deadline looms before submitting your FAFSA, though. Completing it early could give you more financial aid options, as some are first-come, first-served. Another mistake to avoid is not completing the FAFSA at all. Some applicants make this error because they assume their household income is too high to qualify for federal aid. The truth is that not all federal aid is need-based, so you may receive some generous aid offers even if your household income exceeds the threshold for need-based aid.
3. Not getting or using an FSA ID
The Federal Student Aid office recommends signing up for a username and password on studentaid.gov. Do this earlier rather than later. This username and password will serve as your FSA ID, which can be used to easily identify and update your FAFSA form.
If you’re a dependent student, your parents should get an FSA ID, too. Not only will the FSA ID let you easily access your FAFSA, but it will also let you save the information you enter. For instance, if you start working on your FAFSA but don’t have time to finish it, it’ll be saved in your account so you can easily complete it later. You won’t need to redo your entire FAFSA form.
3. Missing information
Completing the FAFSA requires some preparation and gathering of paperwork. Not only will you need to provide your personal and financial information, but you’ll also need to share information about your parents’ financials if you’re a dependent student. Here’s what you should have on hand as you’re completing your FAFSA:
- Your Social Security number or alien registration number
- Copies of past tax returns for you and your parents
- Copies of W-2 forms
- Bank and investment account statements
- Proof of any other earned income, such as W-9 income
- Information about any other assets you or your family possesses, such as investment property
Gathering this information beforehand can make it easier to complete your FAFSA. It’ll also save you significant time.
4. Spelling errors or omitting questions
Typos and omissions are common mistakes on the FAFSA. To avoid them, it sometimes helps to complete one portion of the FAFSA at a time and recheck your information before moving on to the next. As long as you’re logged in with your FSA ID, the information you enter will be saved. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the FAFSA and concerned about typos and missed questions, you can take a break and review the information you’ve entered later.
5. Not signing your FAFSA
Once you’ve entered and reviewed all your information carefully, you’re ready to submit your FAFSA. But just because you’ve entered all of your personal and financial information doesn’t mean you’re done. You’ll need to log in using your FSA ID and sign the form electronically for it to be considered complete—and it will need to be complete if you want to receive financial aid offers.
6. Only completing your FAFSA once
Completing your FAFSA isn’t a one-time event. Instead, you should complete it before every academic year. This will help ensure you qualify for ongoing federal aid throughout college.
Keep in mind that aid offerings and requirements can change over time, which is why it’s so important to file your FAFSA each year. You might find you don’t qualify for any special grants or need-based aid one year, but you may be eligible next year or a year after that. This is especially true if your family’s financial situation changes due to unemployment, divorce, or another unexpected life event.
Learn More: Understanding the New Changes to the 2026-2027 FAFSA
The bottom line
While the FAFSA has been simplified recently, it’s still a complicated form, so mistakes happen. But being aware of common FAFSA mistakes can help you avoid them. And the good news is that if you do make a mistake on your FAFSA, you can probably fix it. You’ll have the option to edit certain information on your FAFSA form a few days after you submit it, or you can speak to your college’s financial aid office for additional guidance.
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