How to Amend a FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a great resource to determine a student’s eligibility for federal grants and loans. Every college or university student should fill out the FAFSA every year they are in school. Turning in the FAFSA as early as possible can lead to more possible financial aid, but it can also mean making mistakes. However, you are able to amend your FAFSA.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Verify that your FAFSA has been processed. You should have received a Student Aid Report acknowledgment, or SAR, after your FAFSA was processed. You can check the status of your FAFSA by either calling [phone] or checking online at the FAFSA website.
2. Request a full copy of your full Student Aid Report if you want to amend on paper and mail it in. Call [phone] and follow the instructions to have your SAR mailed to you. Make the necessary corrections, sign it and send it back in.
3. Obtain a Department of Education PIN if you do not have one and wish to make changes online. To obtain a PIN, visit pin.ed.gov and apply for your PIN. You will have to enter your personal information, wait for confirmation and wait for the PIN to be sent to you. You can also request a duplicate PIN or change your PIN if needed at the same website.
4. Visit the FAFSA website and follow the link for making corrections to a processed FAFSA. You will have to enter your personal information as well as your PIN to access your processed FAFSA. Follow the steps and make the necessary corrections.
5. Make sure to obtain a confirmation stamp when changing your FAFSA online. Otherwise your corrections will not be made. Any changes for dependent students on information about their parents will require either an electronic signature or signature page mailed in from the parents.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your tax information handy. This will help you verify that the information is correct.
• Check your FAFSA again after you file your taxes. This will allow you to make any corrections that need fixed quickly.
• Visit your financial aid office at your school if you are unsure about changes that need to be made to your FAFSA.