How to Make Corrections on FAFSA

Your Ultimate Guide to Updating and Fixing FAFSA Mistakes

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step for anyone seeking financial aid for college. Even the most careful applicants sometimes make errors. Luckily, correcting mistakes on the FAFSA is possible and straightforward. This guide walks you through how to update or fix your FAFSA efficiently, ensuring you get the maximum financial aid for which you're eligible.

Why Correcting Your FAFSA Matters

Your FAFSA form is the gateway to federal grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Colleges also use the data to award their institutional aid. A small mistake—like a mistyped Social Security number or outdated income information—can create delays or reduce your aid package. That's why it's vital to make FAFSA corrections quickly if you spot an error or need to update your info.

Common Reasons to Make FAFSA Corrections

You may need to amend your FAFSA for several reasons, including:

• Incorrect income or tax information
• Changed dependency status
• New family members or household size
• Mistyped Social Security Numbers or birth dates
• Errors in college listings
• Updating your mailing address or contact details
• Providing missing signatures

Most updates are allowed, but some—like correcting your Social Security Number—may require special steps or contacting your financial aid office directly.

How to Make Corrections to Your FAFSA Online

The fastest and easiest way to fix your FAFSA is online. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Visit the official FAFSA website at studentaid.gov.
2. Log in with your FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID). If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need their FSA ID for some changes.
3. On your dashboard, find the option, "Make FAFSA Corrections." Click to start editing.
4. Update the sections that need correction. Double-check for new errors before moving to the next page.
5. Sign your updated FAFSA with your FSA ID and have your parent sign, if required.
6. Submit the corrected FAFSA form.

After you submit your corrections, the FAFSA processing system will send your updates to your selected colleges and state agencies automatically.

Updating vs. Correcting FAFSA Information

There is a difference between making corrections and making updates to your FAFSA:

• Corrections fix mistakes you made when you filled out your original FAFSA, such as typos or using the wrong income data.
• Updates are for when your situation changes—like a new family member or a drastic change in your parent’s marital status.
• For most students, you can only update information if it changes due to certain life events, as specified by FAFSA guidelines.

Paper Corrections and Making Changes by Mail

If you submitted a paper FAFSA or prefer a physical process, you are able to make changes by mail:

1. Wait for your Student Aid Report (SAR) to arrive by mail.
2. Review your SAR carefully. In the "FAFSA Corrections" section, fill out the fields that must be corrected or updated.
3. Sign and date the paper SAR.
4. Mail the corrected SAR to the address listed on the form.

Keep in mind, making FAFSA corrections by paper can take several weeks. For faster processing, online corrections are recommended.

When Should You Submit FAFSA Corrections?

You should submit corrections as soon as you notice an error or if your circumstances change. These situations include:

• Your household size or income levels change before your college’s financial aid deadline.
• You realize you’ve left out a required signature or made a typo in critical information.
• You need to add or change the colleges listed on your FAFSA.

Each school and state has its own FAFSA deadline, so check their specific dates. Making corrections sooner increases your chances of receiving maximum aid.

Who to Contact for FAFSA Error Help

If a FAFSA correction seems complicated, or you’re unsure about what needs to be fixed, help is available:

• Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
• Consult your college’s financial aid office. They can help with complex cases, such as dependency overrides or unusual circumstances.
• Review resources and FAQs at studentaid.gov.

Special Cases: Correcting FAFSA After Submission Deadlines

If your FAFSA deadline has passed, you can still make corrections for some types of aid, but you may not be eligible for state or school funds. Contact your college’s financial aid office right away if you have urgent changes after the posted deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions About FAFSA Corrections

How long does it take for FAFSA corrections to process?

Online FAFSA corrections usually process within 3 to 5 days. Paper corrections by mail can take up to three weeks. Colleges will receive your updated information after processing is complete.

Can you add new schools to your FAFSA after submitting it?

Yes, you can log back into your FAFSA account and add or remove schools at any time, as long as you're within the academic year. Your new schools will receive your information shortly after you submit the changes.

Is it possible to change your dependency status after applying?

Generally, dependency status is determined by your situation on the day you complete the FAFSA. If your status changes due to exceptional circumstances, contact your college’s financial aid office for help with a dependency override.

What should you do if you made a mistake with your Social Security Number on FAFSA?

You cannot change your Social Security Number online. Instead, you will need to submit a new FAFSA with the correct number, then contact your school's financial aid office to link your updated application.

Do FAFSA corrections change your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI)?

Yes, if you update information that affects your financial status (like income, assets, or family size), your EFC or SAI may change during recalculation. This can impact the amount or type of aid you receive.

Tips to Prevent FAFSA Errors and Speed Up Corrections

• Always review your FAFSA before submitting.
• Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to ensure accurate tax information.
• Ask a parent, counselor, or trusted advisor to double-check your data.
• Check your Student Aid Report (SAR) promptly and act fast if you spot mistakes.
• Save your FSA ID in a secure place for quick logins to make updates or corrections.

With these steps, you're well-equipped to handle FAFSA corrections, ensuring your application is accurate and up-to-date. An error on your FAFSA does not have to stand in your way from receiving financial aid. Stay proactive and reach out for help if you need it.