Yes, in most cases, you can edit the FAFSA after you’ve submitted it. And, you should edit it if any information is inaccurate or outdated. However, there are some exceptions.
When filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are required to enter information that’s correct as of the day you sign the application. However, some of this information could change at any time. You may move and have a new address. Your dependency status may be different or maybe your income has drastically dropped or increased.
Regardless of what has changed, you will want your FAFSA application to reflect the updated information. There are several ways that you can make the necessary changes. But first, a look at why you must edit the FAFSA and update your information.
Why Should Your FAFSA Be Correct?
The information you provide on the FAFSA form is used to determine your eligibility for certain school and state financial aid. The information is also shared with the colleges you’ve listed on your application. The college’s financial aid office uses these details to determine how much aid you may be eligible for at their school. Any change in your dependency or income status will affect your financial aid eligibility.
Deliberately providing the wrong information or failing to update the information intentionally can have serious consequences. At the very least you will have to pay back any financial aid you received under false pretenses. In a worst-case scenario, you could face criminal charges of fraud. According to the Higher Education Act of 1965, any student caught lying on the FAFSA could face up to five years in prison and a $20,000 fine. This is in addition to paying back the financial aid you received.
When Should You Edit the FAFSA?
You should edit and correct your FAFSA as soon as you know the information is incorrect or out of date. However, you may have to wait a few days as you cannot edit the form between the period of submission and the time the application is accepted. This usually takes 3 to 5 days, during which time the data is locked.
Common Reasons for Editing the FAFSA
Some of the more common reasons why you may want to edit the FAFSA could be:
- Correcting any mistakes you made while filling up the application.
- Updating your email address, postal address, or other contact information in case of any changes.
- Making updates to your dependency status, such as pregnancy or legal guardianship.
- Changing Federal School Codes to update the list of schools that can see your FAFSA information.
- You can list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA form. If you already have 20 schools listed, you can choose which school to delete from the list. The school removed will no longer have access to any new information you report on the FAFSA.
FAFSA Editing Restrictions
Not all updates can be made by editing the FAFSA directly. There are a few additional steps involved to update some information on the FAFSA. For example:
- Marital Status Changes. If your marital status changes, you may not be able to update your new status directly. You will have to first speak to your school’s financial aid office to find out the next steps.
- Current Income. You also cannot edit the FAFSA directly to reflect any significant changes in your income or your parent’s income for the current year. In this case, too, you should speak to your school’s financial aid office to find out how to proceed.
- Extraordinary Circumstances. You and your family may have other extraordinary circumstances that can’t be reported on the FAFSA form. Speaking to your school’s financial aid will help clarify your next steps.
You Cannot Edit Your Social Security Number on the FAFSA
One thing you cannot edit on the FAFSA is your Social Security Number (SSN). There is no provision to edit your Social Security Number. If you filed the form using an incorrect SSN, you will have to submit a new form altogether. Your old application will be disregarded and this changes the date your FAFSA form is submitted and processed.
If you’re getting close to FAFSA deadlines, the fastest and most efficient way to submit a new application with your correct SSN is by using the online portal. Your FAFSA must be in before these deadlines for you to qualify for school or state aid. If the deadline is too close, speak to the financial aid office at one of the schools listed on your SAR. They may be able to help. If they cannot, they will advise you as to the best way to proceed.
You can also change your SSN on your paper Student Aid Report. Make the change, sign it, and mail the edited form to the address provided on the SAR. While this is one of the options available, be aware that the processing time can be as long as three weeks. This is the least efficient way to go about changing your SSN. Also, you can only change the SSN through the paper SAR once, not more than that.
How to Update Your FAFSA
Editing your FAFSA form to correct or update any information is easy.
- Go to studentaid.gov.
- Log in using your FSA ID username and password.
- Update the information on the form.
- Save the form and submit the edited form for processing.
If you notice an error on your FAFSA, it is important to correct it as soon as possible. Leaving mistakes on your application can lead to loss of financial aid for college that you qualified for. And if the government believes you lied on the form, you could face steep fines. Always double-check your FAFSA before you hit submit!
If you found an error too late on your FAFSA, there are other options available to you including private student loans. With our Student Loan Finder, you can find the right loan for your needs and college today.
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