Wed, Feb 12, 2025 11:30 AM

The FAFSA Submission Summary is one of the most important documents you’ll receive after you and your student submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As a parent, reviewing this summary is essential to ensuring your child gets the maximum financial aid they qualify for. Many families overlook this step, assuming the process is complete once the FAFSA is submitted, but errors or missing information can impact the aid package significantly.

This summary provides a detailed breakdown of the information submitted on the FAFSA, lists the Estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) amount, and shows if your son or daughter is eligible for any amount of Pell Grant money. Even minor mistakes—like an incorrect social security number, missing asset details, or dependency status errors—can delay or reduce your child’s financial aid.

Another critical reason to review the FAFSA Submission Summary is to ensure that all the colleges your child is considering are listed correctly. Schools use this information to determine their institutional aid awards, and if a college is missing, they won’t receive your family’s financial details. Updating or adding schools promptly can make a difference in the financial aid package your student receives from all of their colleges.

It’s also important to check to see if there are any outstanding requirements or missing items on your student’s FAFSA. Please note: some students are selected for verification, meaning they must provide additional documents or answer other questions from the colleges before receiving aid. Ignoring this step can delay or even forfeit financial aid opportunities. By carefully reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary, you can address any issues early and avoid unnecessary stress as college deadlines approach.

At College and Beyond LLC, we help families navigate these details, ensuring you understand the information presented and take the necessary steps to maximize your child’s financial aid. If you need assistance reviewing your FAFSA Submission Summary or making corrections, reach out to us—we’re here to help make college more affordable for your family

Since the College Money Talk is part of my process – feel free to schedule a meeting with me today.

Need help with the College Admissions Process, Finding Scholarships, or with Financial Aid?

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