Common FAFSA Mistakes to Avoid

Shelly Humbach • December 9, 2019

Up to this point, the college application process has been all about you. However, if you are a dependent student , then completing the FAFSA application will be a team effort. Before you dive in to filling out the form, be sure that everyone involved has gathered the information they need (social security numbers, tax information, FSA IDs, etc.). In addition, avoid the following common mistakes when completing the FAFSA form.

1. Not completing the FAFSA. Students and families don’t complete the FAFSA form for a variety of reasons. They think “We make too much money for financial aid” or “the form is too much work”. This is a big mistake! Even if you don’t qualify for federal grants, the FAFSA is also the application for federal work-study (your ticket to a campus job), or federal student loans ( unsubsidized federal loans do not require demonstrated need). If you don’t complete the FAFSA you will lose out on financial aid options.

2. Not completing the FAFSA on-time. Most schools have a preferred filing deadline for the FAFSA form. Students who submit their FAFSA information to the school by the deadline will receive the best consideration for financial aid. Fill out the FAFSA form as soon as possible as it typically takes 3-5 days for the school to receive the FAFSA data (sometimes up to 2 weeks). Start now!

3. Not getting an FSA ID. An FSA ID is the username and password you will use to sign in and complete the FAFSA form. This ID will also allow you to sign and submit the form electronically. You and your parents will each need a unique FSA ID. It can take up to 3 days for your FSA ID to be activated so that you can begin completing the FAFSA. Apply for your FSA ID now!

4. Not following directions. This may sound simple but read the directions and complete the FAFSA form carefully. Inputting incorrect information could cost you thousands of dollars. If you are confused about a question, there is help text and online resources that will guide you through completing the form.

5. Not listing all the colleges you are considering. Each school will receive their own copy of your FAFSA data. You should list every college that you are considering (even if you aren’t sure if you will apply or be accepted). You can list up to 10 colleges initially and there is an option for you to list even more. Don’t worry – the colleges can’t see what other schools you have on your list.

Take Action

Check out more detail on tips above and other mistakes to avoid on the US Department of Education blog “Homeroom". The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) also has a detailed list of FAFSA tips and mistakes to avoid. Make it a priority to get your FAFSA done as soon as possible!

No Phone, Ditch the Shoes, Let’s Connect

By Shelly Humbach • September 11, 2025
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”

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