Tips for Receiving Federal Student Aid

Ah, financial aid. It's one of the most important (and most eagerly awaited) parts of the college experience. Whether you need the funds to pay for your classes, your dorm room, or a new TV (don't worry, I won't tell), you will need to fill out a FAFSA to get your hands on the money.

The FAFSA is the U.S. government's Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Think of it as a giant wall placed squarely between you and your new TV.

Don't worry, though, I'm here to give you some tips to make things a little bit easier for you.

Just in case you're wondering who I am to give you advice, I work in the financial aid department of a major university.

First and foremost, have a copy of the taxes you filed last year handy. If you're a dependant student, you'll need your parents' taxes, as well. This applies to you if you are a)under 24 years old, b)single, c)without children, or d)have living parents. If you can say that any of these do not apply to you, then you will be considered independent. This is good, because it means you maybe eligible for more money than a dependent student.

Anyway, back to the taxes. You will need last year's if you filed. You will be asked questions about your income on the FAFSA, and you need to be exact. Guessing could lead to problems down the line (more on that later).

On to the form itself. The first mistake I see often has to do with a student's name. That's right, their name. Make sure you use your legal name. No nicknames, no middle names, even if that's what you go by. If you use a name other than your legal one, the government won't be able to link it with your social security number.

More on names: If your name has changed recently due to marriage, divorce, etc., use the name that is on your social security card. If you haven't talked to the SSA since changing your name, do so immediately. Name issues are some of the hardest to fix.