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How to Add Schools on FAFSA

When preparing for college, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step in the financial aid process. One of the important parts of filing your FAFSA is including the schools you are interested in attending. This guide will walk you through how to add schools to your FAFSA, ensuring that you take full advantage of the financial aid opportunities available to you.

Understanding the FAFSA Process

The FAFSA process is designed to help determine your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid based on your financial needs. By submitting the FAFSA, students can access grants, loans, and work-study funds to help pay for college or career school education. While completing the FAFSA, you need to list the schools you want to receive your financial aid information.

Why Add Schools on FAFSA?

Including schools on your FAFSA is vital for several reasons:

  • Financial Aid Consideration: Schools use your FAFSA details to figure out the amount of financial aid they can offer you. If a school isn’t listed, they won’t receive your information, and you may miss out on aid offers.
  • Application and Admission: Some schools make financial aid decisions early, and having them on your FAFSA can speed up this process.
  • Scholarship Eligibility: Schools often use FAFSA data to assess eligibility for merit-based scholarships as well.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Schools on FAFSA

  1. Create or Log into Your FAFSA Account

    • Go to the official FAFSA website (https://studentaid.gov/).
    • If you haven't already, create an account using an FSA ID. If you already have an account, simply log in.

  2. Start New FAFSA or Edit an Existing Application

    • If you're applying for the first time for an academic year, select "Start a New FAFSA Form."
    • If you've already submitted a FAFSA for the year and want to add schools, choose "Login" and find your existing FAFSA application.

  3. Navigate to the School Selection Section

    • Within the application, locate the section titled “School Selection.”
    • Add up to 10 colleges or universities you’re considering attending if you’re submitting online. On the paper FAFSA form, you can add up to four schools.

  4. Enter School Information

    • Use the Federal School Code Search tool to find each institution’s unique Federal School Code.
    • Enter each school's Federal School Code, and confirm the selections.

  5. Arrange the Order of Schools

    • Make sure to put your preferred school at the top of the list. Note that although the listed order usually doesn’t affect eligibility for federal aid, some states do prefer you list an in-state or state aid specific school first for state aid qualification.

  6. Submit the Form

    • Carefully review your entry for accuracy, then submit the FAFSA form.

  7. Follow Up with Schools

    • After submitting, contact the schools you listed to confirm receipt of your FAFSA data. Schools often have different timelines on when they start processing FAFSA information, so it's a good idea to keep track of when they receive it.

Common Questions about Adding Schools

Can I Add More Than 10 Schools?

Yes, if you wish to add more than the allowed number of schools at a time, follow these steps:

  1. Submit your FAFSA with the initial 10 schools.
  2. After receiving confirmation that the FAFSA has been processed, log back into your FAFSA account.
  3. Replace some or all of the schools with new ones you want to add.
  4. Submit the changes.

Ensure to notify each school that your FAFSA information will be available once you add them.

What Happens If I Change My Mind about a School?

You can revise your list of schools at any time before or after submitting your FAFSA. Schools added or removed will receive updated information upon each submission.

Important Considerations

  • Deadline Awareness: Pay attention to both federal and state FAFSA deadlines. Schools also have their deadlines for submitting your information to determine aid packages.
  • Verification Process: Some schools may require additional documentation to verify FAFSA data, a normal part of the application process. Promptly respond to any requests to avoid delays in receiving financial aid.

Understanding Financial Aid Packages

Once your FAFSA has been processed and the information sent to your selected schools, you will receive financial aid offers, also known as award letters. These letters outline the types and amounts of financial aid the school can offer based on the information from your FAFSA.

The types of aid typically include:

  • Grants and Scholarships: Often need-based or merit-based, which do not require repayment.
  • Federal Work-Study: Requires you to work part-time in exchange for a paycheck.
  • Loans: Funds that need to be repaid after graduation, with several options like subsidized, unsubsidized, and PLUS loans available.

Key Tips for Success

  • Early Submissions: Submit your FAFSA as soon as it opens for the coming school year to take advantage of first-come, first-served states' and schools' funds.
  • Stay Organized: Keep copies of all correspondence and submissions related to your FAFSA.
  • Use Resources: Utilize federal student aid resources and your high school counselor for advice and guidance throughout the process.

External Resources

For further reading, please access:

Remember, thorough and timely completion of your FAFSA, with correctly added schools, enhances your prospects of receiving adequate financial aid, supporting you to achieve your educational goals efficiently.