DO:

Have your student be the one actually sitting at the computer filling out the form.

• Many of the questions on the FAFSA are asked directly to the student. For example: “What was YOUR income for 2011?” Parents often assume they are answering for themselves on these questions and sometimes enter their income information where the student’s should be. This mistake will significantly throw off a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Keep W2s, most recent pay stubs, and past tax returns handy while completing the FAFSA.

• The answers you provide for the FAFSA questions are intended to be estimated. Using these three forms will help you in coming up with these estimates.

File by February 1^st.

• The priority deadline is February 1^st.  This means that you need to submit the FAFSA before February 1^st.  And remember that the Federal Processor is located in the Central Time Zone; the date stamp is based upon the processor time, so you must submit it before 9pm to be considered on time.

DON’T

Don’t wait until February 1^st to complete the form.

• Although this is Gonzaga’s priority deadline, there are some scenarios that cause the FAFSA to take longer than expected. These scenarios may include difficulty logging into the site (due to high volumes of website traffic), calling an accountant or financial aid counselor to ask questions, as well as searching for documentation to help answer the FAFSA accurately.

Don’t wait until your taxes are complete to file the FAFSA.

• The FAFSA is intended to be filled out based on estimates.  When your taxes are complete, go back and transfer your tax figures onto your FAFSA.

Don’t EVER pay a fee to file the FAFSA.

• The first word of the FAFSA is “Free,” you will never be asked to include any kind of payment information when filling out this form. If for some reason you are, most likely you are on the incorrect site.

These are just a few of the tips we have to offer, myths we frequently debunk, and questions that we commonly answer during the months of December, January, and February. If your questions go deeper than these listed, or you simply need some assistance filling out the FAFSA, please call the Financial Aid Office at 1-800-793-1716 or email them atfinaid@gonzaga.edu. Gonzaga’s Financial Aid Website may also provide some clarifying information: www.Gonzaga.edu/FinancialAid. Good luck, and Happy New Year!