It’s true, the FAFSA can be intimidating. There are many misconceptions about what the FAFSA is, how to file it, and why it’s necessary. It’s important that confusion around the FAFSA doesn’t prevent you from completing it. This is why we’re going to address the top five myths about the FAFSA and provide some truth to these misconceptions.
Myth #1: It takes a long time to file the FAFSA.
The FAFSA is not as daunting as it seems. The average time to complete a FAFSA is only 22-30 minutes. This worksheet provides a preview of questions you may be asked while completing the FAFSA so you can prepare beforehand!
Myth #2: I need a computer to file the FAFSA.
You do not! You can access StudentAid.gov on a mobile device or request a printout of the FAFSA PDF by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Myth #3: I need to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for financial aid.
This is not true! Students who fall into certain non-citizen statuses are eligible for financial aid. See a list here.
Myth #4: I must pay a fee to file the FAFSA.
Filing the FAFSA is free! If you’re on a website that requires payment, that means it is not the official FAFSA website.
Myth #5: The FAFSA asks for information that I won’t be able to find.
The FAFSA asks for information that is easily accessible to you, like your Social Security Number, bank statements and driver’s license. See this checklist of the information you need to file the FAFSA.
We hope that this post gave you a better understanding of the FAFSA and dispelled some myths! If you have any more questions about the FAFSA, check out the help center. We also recommend that you check out The University of Tulsa’s financial aid web page for more information about how to fund your TU education!
REIGN ‘CANE!