How to Make Changes to FAFSA After Submitting A Step-by-Step GuideThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial part of securing financial aid for college. However, once you submit your FAFSA, it’s possible that you may need to make changes due to mistakes, updates in your financial situation, or changes in the college you plan to attend. Fortunately, you can modify your FAFSA even after submission, ensuring that your application reflects the most accurate information.
In this topic, we’ll explore how to make changes to your FAFSA after submitting, what you can update, and why it’s important to do so.
Why Would You Need to Make Changes to Your FAFSA?
Several situations may arise where you need to amend your FAFSA after submission. These could include
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Incorrect or Missing Information Simple errors such as typos in your name, Social Security number, or income details are common and need to be corrected.
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Changes in Family Financial Situation If your family’s financial situation changes, for example, if a parent loses their job, this should be reflected in your FAFSA to adjust your aid eligibility.
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Changes in College Plans If you decide to attend a different school or change your enrollment status, you will need to update your FAFSA.
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Eligibility for More Financial Aid If you missed out on financial aid opportunities or learned about additional scholarship opportunities, updating your FAFSA can help you secure more funding.
How to Make Changes to Your FAFSA
The process of making changes to your FAFSA is relatively simple, and it can be done online through the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you make modifications to your FAFSA
1. Log into Your FAFSA Account
To start, visit the FAFSA website and log into your account using your FSA ID. If you don’t have an FSA ID, you can create one by following the instructions on the website. Once logged in, find the option to access your completed FAFSA form.
2. Select the FAFSA You Want to Update
Once you are logged in, select the FAFSA form that you want to edit. Typically, you will be able to see your most recent submission, but if you need to make changes to an older form, you may need to select that one from your list of submitted FAFSAs.
3. Click on ‘Make FAFSA Corrections’
After selecting your FAFSA form, click on the option that says ‘Make FAFSA Corrections.’ This will take you to a page where you can update and change specific sections of your application.
4. Review and Update Information
You’ll be able to make corrections to most sections of your FAFSA. Common changes that students make include
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Personal Information Updating your name, address, date of birth, or Social Security number.
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Financial Information Correcting your income or your parents’ income, or updating assets and tax information.
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School Information If you’ve decided to attend a different college or university, you can add or remove schools from the list of institutions that will receive your FAFSA information.
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Dependency Status If your dependency status changes, such as becoming independent or providing new information about your parents, you can update this as well.
Make sure to carefully check every section before submitting the changes to avoid further mistakes.
5. Submit the Updated FAFSA
Once you’ve made the necessary corrections, submit your updated FAFSA. You’ll receive a confirmation page indicating that your changes have been successfully submitted. It’s important to keep a record of this confirmation for your own reference.
What Changes Can You Make to Your FAFSA?
Here are some common changes that are allowed after submitting your FAFSA
1. Financial Information
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Correcting your income or your parents’ income.
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Updating any asset information, such as savings accounts or investments.
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Changing your tax information if you initially entered incorrect figures or didn’t file taxes.
2. Personal Information
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Correcting your Social Security number, name, or date of birth if you made a mistake when filling out the application.
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Updating your contact information, including phone number and email address, if it changes.
3. School Information
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Adding or removing schools from your list of prospective institutions.
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Changing the degree or program you plan to pursue.
4. Dependency Status
- If your circumstances change and you are now considered an independent student (for example, if you get married or have children), you can update your dependency status.
5. Household Information
- If you experience changes in your household size, such as a sibling enrolling in college, or changes to the number of people who live in your household, you can update this section.
Important Considerations When Making FAFSA Changes
While making corrections to your FAFSA is an essential part of the process, there are some things to keep in mind as you update your information
1. Deadlines
- Make sure to complete any necessary changes before financial aid deadlines for the academic year. Some states and schools have specific deadlines for submitting FAFSA corrections, so keep track of those dates to avoid losing out on aid.
2. Verification Process
- If you make significant changes, particularly to your financial information, your FAFSA may be selected for verification. This means you will need to provide additional documentation to support your changes, such as tax returns or proof of income.
3. Check Your Financial Aid Status
- After making changes to your FAFSA, keep an eye on your financial aid status. You may receive a revised financial aid offer if the changes affect your eligibility for certain programs or scholarships.
How Often Can You Make Changes to Your FAFSA?
You can update or make corrections to your FAFSA as many times as necessary, provided that you make these changes before the financial aid deadline. However, keep in mind that making frequent changes could raise red flags, especially if you are constantly changing your financial details or school choices.
It’s best to review your FAFSA thoroughly before submitting it to ensure that all information is accurate, but if you do need to make updates later, the process is straightforward.
Making changes to your FAFSA after submitting it is not only possible, but it’s also an essential step if your circumstances change. Whether you need to correct information or update your financial details, taking the time to adjust your FAFSA ensures that you receive the correct amount of financial aid. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently navigate the process and secure the support you need for your educational journey.
Remember to stay on top of deadlines and keep your financial information accurate to avoid delays in receiving your financial aid package.