Helpful FAFSA Hints
Helpful Hints to Avoid Common Errors When Completing the 2007-2008 FAFSA
(2008-2009 for students beginning Fall 2008)
Use completed 2006 (2007) federal tax documents. Be sure to keep copies of all tax/income information for future reference. If taxes will not be available in a timely manner, you may estimate your information, updating it when the actual figures are available.
- Answer all questions as instructed. Failure to answer items accurately (or at all) will cause delays and may result in exclusion from consideration for specific aid programs.
- Determine the type of tax form you filed (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) and refer to line numbers as directed in the instructions.
- Do not leave question 21 blank! FAFSA can not determine your gender by your name.
- Do not leave question 31 blank! Enter "no" if you have never been convicted of an illegal drug offense.
- If filing electronically, print a copy of the FAFSA for your records before submitting.
- If filing a paper FAFSA, review all questions and make a photocopy of the FAFSA for your records before mailing. (You may mail the paper FAFSA to our office to reduce processing time.)
- Submit this form no later than March 1, 2008, for priority consideration of state of Michigan aid programs during the semester of Fall 2008.
FAFSA Checklist
- If applying on line, you (and your parent if dependent) will need a personal identification number (PIN).
- If you or your parent does not have a PIN, log on to www.pin.ed.gov then click on Pin Request and Information. When you obtain your PIN, keep a record of it for use on future FAFSAs. (A parent's PIN may be used on other children's FAFSAs as well).
- If you have problems when applying for a PIN, you may print off the signature page, sign it, and send it to our office for online entry.
- Social Security number.
- Driver's license.
- Tax forms (if you are a dependent student you will also need your parent's tax forms).
- Untaxed income information.
- Asset information.
- Cornerstone's School Code (002266).
