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Writer's pictureShelly Rufin

FAFSA Simplified: Tips and Tricks for a Stress-Free Application

Updated: 2 days ago


Shelly Rufin Certified WASFAA, NASFAA

By Shelly Rufin, MSHS, MSCC, Dr. (Hn)

Founder EDFIN College Planning

College Consultant/32 Year FAFSA Pro

Certified WASFAA, NASFAA Title IV Funding

Harvard Business School

32 years serving thousands of students

Serving families for over three-decades


November 26, 2024 at 8 AM


Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 2024/25 or 2025/26 are crucial steps in securing your financial aid.


Follow these steps from Shelly Rufin, 32-year FAFSA pro so you can navigate the financial process with confidence and increase your chances of receiving the financial aid needed to pursue your academic goals.


+Reminder+

Filing early can help you maximize your financial aid, and even if you don't qualify it may still help you with low-cost federal loans and scholarships.


Have ALL documents ready

When preparing to fill out your FAFSA form, remember to have all your documents ready, as well as your contributors, in order to ensure that you complete your form in one session. Documents that you will need are:

  • Social Security Numbers

  • Tax Returns (based on dependability)

  • Records of support received

  • Currents balances of savings and checking accounts

  • Net worth of investments


To get started, create a StudentAid.gov account.

Creating your StudentAid.gov account will be helpful for both you and your contributor (your parent or spouse) when filling out your FAFSA form. Your Social Security Number will be required in order to create an account for yourself. For your contributor, if they do not have an SSN, they will be required to make a StudentAid.gov account in order to fill out the FAFSA form. If they have an SSN, they are required to provide this number when completing their portion of the FAFSA form.


It is recommended to take a screenshot or print a copy of the information entered for your contributor when they make their StudentAid.gov account, in order to use the same information provided in your FAFSA form. Keep in mind that the smallest differences, such as using "Road" instead of "Rd" or missing a period, can cause delays to your financial aid status.


Complete your section first

We recommend that you fill out your section of the form first in order to save time and prevent errors. This is more helpful because if your contributor is filling out their section before you, they may enter information that is not required. Remember, it is all based on the information you provided.


Refer to informational resources for assistance if required or ask for help

Help text and articles are usually provided for you in the FAFSA form. If you are still not sure how to answer a question, reach out to your chosen school's financial aid department for help.


Remember to review and submit your form

Review all your answers and information provided carefully before submitting your form. After submitting your form, keep monitoring your financial aid status just in case any information was forgotten or any mistakes were made.


If you are ever in need of assistance, our college consultants can help with FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships, acceptance decisions, letters of interest, and financial aid appeals.


At EDFIN, we don't just prepare students for college; we sculpt their future. With a distinguished legacy spanning over three decades and a proven track record of guiding over 3,000 students, we have honed our expertise to an art form.

 

We recognize the complexity of the college admissions process and the financial intricacies surrounding it, and we are committed to transforming this challenge into an opportunity for your family.


💰 Over $2,000,000 Million Financial Aid Awards - Grants & Scholarships


Parents, Ready to level up your child’s college planning game? 🚀


Excellent! ✨🎓 Hop onto our website at https://www.edfin.net/contact and filling out the handy online form!




EDFIN College Planning Team

Interested in a Discovery Session? Call/Text (951) 261-9799 or apply online at https://www.edfin.net/consultation.

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Shelly Rufin Bio

Wishing you and your child a successful school year and college journey!


Stay inspired!

EDFIN College Planning Team


Also, thank you in advance for spreading the word about our services through your referrals! Your support means a lot to us and is greatly appreciated. 🙏


Making College Dreams a Reality! 💰👩‍🎓🎉

Shelly Rufin, MSHS, MSCC, Dr. (Hn)

32-year FAFSA Expert

College Consultant

Certified WASFAA, NASFAA Title IV Funding

Harvard Business School Alumnus

EDFIN College Planning

Tel: (951) 261-9799


P.S. We love referrals ❤️ Don't forget to share your positive experience with your family and friends who might benefit from our services!

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