Common FAFSA Mistakes


REMEMBER TO THOROUGHLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE FAFSA!

The following items are often incorrectly reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students/ parents may be asked to document such items or others if requested. Item numbers pertain to both the paper FAFSA and the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet. Remember married students need to provide spousal information. A remarried custodial parent needs to provide information for both parent and spouse even if one is a stepparent.

Marital Statuses

Question 16 - Student

The student's marital status must be reported as of the day the FAFSA is signed. There are three options:

  1. Single, divorced or widowed
  2. Married or remarried
  3. Separated

Option 1
Single, divorced or widowed, should be chosen if the student is engaged but not yet married. The marital status of a student cannot be changed after the date the FAFSA is signed.

Question 61 - Parent

The parents' marital status must be reported as of the day the FAFSA is signed. There are four options:

  1. Married or remarried
  2. Single
  3. Divorced or separated
  4. widowed

Option 1
Married or remarried should be chosen if the student's biological parents are divorced or widowed and the custodial parent has remarried. That stepparent's financial information must also be included on the FAFSA. No prenuptial agreements are recognized by the federal government for financial aid purposes.


Number of family members in 2009-2010

Question 96 - Student

A dependent student can leave this question blank as a dependent student is included in the parent(s) number in household. An independent student should include:

  1. Self
  2. Spouse (if applicable)
  3. Children if the student provides more than half of their support between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010
  4. Others if they now live with the student and the student will provide more than half of their support between
    July 2, 2009 and June 30, 2010

Question 75 - Parents

The number of family members in the parents' household should include:

  1. The student's parents and the student even if the student doesn't live in the household
  2. The parents' other children if
    1. The parents' will provide more than half of their support between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010
    2. The children could answer "No" to all the dependency questions on the FAFSA
  3. Other people only if they live in the household and the parents provide more than half of their support and will continue to do so between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

How many people in the household will be college students in 2009-2010?

Question 97 - Student

Always count the student. Include other household members only if they are attending at least half-time in 2009-2010 and are in a program that will lead to a degree or certificate.

Question 76 - Parents

Parents cannot be counted in this figure. This number should reflect only the student and other dependents in the family who are attending at least half-time in 2009-2010 and are in a program that will lead to a degree or certificate


2008 Additional Financial Information

Question 46 - Student

These answers are separate line items on both the paper FAFSA and FAFSA on the WEB; they will appear as a total on the results of the application;

  1. Payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans either paid directly to the student (or spouse) or withheld from earnings. These figures are often found on the W-2 forms Boxes 12 - 12d, codes D, E, F, G, H, and S
  2. IRA deductions and payments to self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, Keogh, and other qualified plans from the federal tax return
  3. Child support received by the student (or spouse) not including foster care or adoption payments
  4. Tax exempt interest from the federal tax return
  5. Untaxed portions of IRA distributions from the federal tax return, be sure to exclude rollovers
  6. Untaxed portions of pensions from the federal tax return
  7. Allowances paid to or for members of the military, the clergy; and others. Include the cash value of benefits where applicable
  8. Veterans non-education benefits
  9. Other untaxed income not already reported elsewhere
  10. Money received or paid on behalf of the student (or spouse) not reported elsewhere

Question 94 - Parents

These answers are separate line items on both the paper FAFSA and FAFSA on the WEB; they will appear as a total on the results of the application;

  1. Payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans either paid directly to the student (or spouse) or withheld from earnings. These figures are often found on the W-2 forms Boxes 12 - 12d, codes D, E, F, G, H, and S
  2. IRA deductions and payments to self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, Keogh, and other qualified plans from the federal tax return
  3. Child support received by the student (or spouse) not including foster care or adoption payments
  4. Tax exempt interest from the federal tax return
  5. Untaxed portions of IRA distributions from the federal tax return, be sure to exclude rollovers
  6. Untaxed portions of pensions from the federal tax return
  7. Allowances paid to or for members of the military, the clergy; and others. Include the cash value of benefits where applicable
  8. Veterans non-education benefits
  9. Other untaxed income not already reported elsewhere

Untaxed Income

Question 47 - Student

These answers are separate line items on both the paper FAFSA and FAFSA on the WEB; they will appear as a total on the results of the application;

  1. Payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans either paid directly to the student (or spouse) or withheld from earnings. These figures are often found on the W-2 forms Boxes 12 - 12d, codes D, E, F, G, H, and S
  2. IRA deductions and payments to self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, Keogh, and other qualified plans from the federal tax return
  3. Child support received by the student (or spouse) not including foster care or adoption payments
  4. Tax exempt interest from the federal tax return
  5. Untaxed portions of IRA distributions from the federal tax return, be sure to exclude rollovers
  6. Untaxed portions of pensions from the federal tax return
  7. Allowances paid to or for members of the military, the clergy; and others. Include the cash value of benefits where applicable
  8. Veterans non-education benefits
  9. Other untaxed income not already reported elsewhere
  10. Money received or paid on behalf of the student (or spouse) not reported elsewhere

Question 95 - Parents

These answers are separate line items on both the paper FAFSA and FAFSA on the WEB; they will appear as a total on the results of the application;

  1. Payments to tax-deferred pension and savings plans either paid directly to the student (or spouse) or withheld from earnings. These figures are often found on the W-2 forms Boxes 12 - 12d, codes D, E, F, G, H, and S
  2. IRA deductions and payments to self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, Keogh, and other qualified plans from the federal tax return
  3. Child support received by the student (or spouse) not including foster care or adoption payments
  4. Tax exempt interest from the federal tax return
  5. Untaxed portions of IRA distributions from the federal tax return, be sure to exclude rollovers
  6. Untaxed portions of pensions from the federal tax return
  7. Allowances paid to or for members of the military, the clergy; and others. Include the cash value of benefits where applicable
  8. Veterans non-education benefits
  9. Other untaxed income not already reported elsewhere

Adjusted Gross Income

There cannot be an adjusted gross income if federal taxes were not filed.

Question 36 - Student

This answer comes from the federal tax return only. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable. IRS Form 1040 - line 37; IRS Form 1040A - line 21; IRS form 1040EZ - line 4.

Question 86 - Parents

There cannot be an adjusted gross income if federal tax returns were not filed.

This answer comes from the federal tax return only. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable. IRS Form 1040 - line 37; IRS Form 1040A - line 21; IRS form 1040EZ - line 4.


Income Taxes Paid

Question 37 - Student

This answer comes from the federal tax return only. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable. IRS Form 1040 - line 56; IRS Form 1040A - line 35; IRS Form 1040EZ - line 11.

Question 87 - Parents

This answer comes from the federal tax return only. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable. IRS Form 1040 - line 56; IRS Form 1040A - line 35; IRS Form 1040EZ - line 11.


Asset Information

Do not leave these questions blank. Enter zeroes where applicable.

Question 41 - Student

What is the balance of cash, savings, and checking as of the day the FAFSA is signed? Use whole dollars and do not include any student aid funds. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable.

Question 42 - Student

What is the net worth of investments including real estate other than the home as of the day the FAFSA is signed? Net worth is the value of the investment less the debt owed against it. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable.

Question 43 - Student

What is the net worth of current businesses and/or investment farms as of the day the FAFSA is signed? Net worth is the value of the business and or farm less the debt owed against it. Do not include businesses in which over 50% of the business is controlled by the student and/or spouse and has 100 or fewer employees. Do not include the value of a family farm which is owned or operated by the student. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable.

Question - 91 Parents

What is the balance of cash, savings, and checking as of the day the FAFSA is signed? Use whole dollars and do not include any student aid funds. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable.

Question - 92 Parents

What is the net worth of investments including real estate other than the home as of the day the FAFSA is signed? Net worth is the value of the investment less the debt owed against it. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable.

Question - 93 Parents

What is the net worth of current businesses and/or investment farms as of the day the FAFSA is signed? Net worth is the value of the business and or farm less the debt owed against it. Do not include businesses in which over 50 % of the business is controlled by the family and has 100 or fewer employees. Do not include the value of a family farm which is owned or operated by the parents. Make sure spousal information is included if applicable.

Question - 23 Student

This question is about drug convictions. THIS QUESTION CANNOT BE LEFT BLANK.


Other Common Errors