.png)
Small FAFSA mistakes can cost you big money. Learn what to check now before it’s too late.
January is crunch time for FAFSA follow‑up. Many colleges start reviewing aid packages, financial aid deadlines are on the horizon, and if you didn’t submit FAFSA early, you might be catching up. Getting your FAFSA in on time is just the first step — avoiding common mistakes afterward is what actually helps you lock in the most aid possible. Mistakes now can delay your award, reduce the amount you get, or even lose you money you’re eligible for.
Let’s walk through the most common FAFSA mistakes students make in January, why they matter, and how to fix them quickly.
The mistake: Submitting FAFSA and assuming everything is fine.
Why it’s a problem: FAFSA must be processed by the U.S. Department of Education before colleges can see your information and start offering aid. If there’s a problem (like missing signatures or errors), you won’t know unless you check your status.
If it’s been more than a week with no update, contact your school’s financial aid office — sometimes they can help push things along or identify issues you can’t see online.
🧠 Pro Tip: Set a recurring reminder for the first two weeks after submission — that’s when most issues crop up.
The mistake: Not reviewing the details FAFSA has on file.
Why it’s a problem: Your FAFSA Submission Summary includes key information like your reported income, household size, and schools you want to receive your info. Even a small typo can miscalculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) and impact your aid.
🧠 Pro Tip: January is a great time to verify this because schools start pulling FAFSA data for award letters soon.
The mistake: Falling behind on verification.
Why it’s a problem: If your FAFSA is selected for verification, your school will require documents like tax transcripts, proof of income, and household verification. If these aren’t turned in on time, your financial aid won’t be processed — meaning no grants, loans, or work‑study until it’s done.
🧠 Pro Tip: Verification requests often look official but confusing — if you’re not sure what they want, call the financial aid office.
The mistake: Forgetting to add all the schools you want to receive your FAFSA info — or adding them after the deadlines.
Why it’s a problem: Schools can only build a financial aid package if they receive your FAFSA data. If you add them too late, they may miss the deadline to consider you for institutional aid, scholarships, or priority aid funds.
🧠 Pro Tip: Aim to have all schools added by early January so nothing slips through the cracks.
The mistake: Reversing income figures or reporting the wrong tax year.
Why it’s a problem: FAFSA uses specific IRS data to calculate your SAI. If parent and student income are mixed up — or the wrong tax year is used — your aid eligibility can be calculated incorrectly.
🧠 Pro Tip: If your family’s finances changed in 2025 (job loss, divorce, etc.), your aid office might adjust your FAFSA on an individual basis.
The mistake: Thinking FAFSA deadlines are the only deadlines.
Why it’s a problem: Colleges and outside scholarships have their own deadlines. Some institutional awards are first‑come, first‑served — meaning the longer you wait, the more money disappears.
🧠 Pro Tip: Some schools have separate applications for internal scholarships. FAFSA alone might not be enough.
The mistake: Misreporting income like untaxed benefits, work bonuses, or untaxed financial support.
Why it’s a problem: FAFSA asks about specific types of income — not all earnings count the same. Misreporting can lead to incorrect SAI and even trigger additional verification.
If you’re unsure, contact the FAFSA helpline or your financial aid office before guessing.
🧠 Pro Tip: FAFSA defines income and benefits differently than tax returns — don’t assume they’re the same.
The mistake: Thinking January is too late to correct FAFSA.
Why it’s a problem: Many students believe once January hits, FAFSA changes aren’t allowed. That’s not true. You can still make corrections — and should — up until schools finalize aid packages.
🧠 Pro Tip: FAFSA corrections after January are often the difference between decent aid and maximum aid.
✔ Check your FAFSA status often
✔ Review your Submission Summary in detail
✔ Submit verification requests early
✔ Add schools ASAP
✔ Report income correctly
✔ Track every deadline
✔ Understand what counts as income
✔ Know that you can still correct FAFSA
Avoiding FAFSA mistakes in January isn’t just about saving time — it’s about saving real money and unlocking the full financial aid you deserve. Staying proactive now means less stress later and more aid when you need it most.
Want step‑by‑step help spotting errors, fixing your FAFSA, and finding more scholarships before deadlines hit? Login to our [student portal] to get expert resources, office hours with college funding pros, and exclusive tools designed to make college more affordable.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)