Office of Student Aid : Applying for Student Aid 2008-09 : 2008-09 FAFSA Tips : General Tips and Instructions

General Instructions:

Things to double check before submitting the FAFSA

• Make sure your and your parent(s) names and Social Security numbers are entered on the FAFSA exactly as they appear on each Social Security card. All dates of birth must be entered accurately. Errors in these items may significantly delay processing of your student aid.
• FAFSA on the Web may allow you to skip some questions; however, Pennsylvania residents applying for a state grant will need to complete all questions.
• If you would like to be considered for Federal Work-Study or loans, you must make that selection on the FAFSA. Saying yes to loans or Work-Study does not limit your eligibility for grants or scholarships. (Q26)
• If you completed high school or its equivalent before beginning the 2008-09 school year, remember to select "High school diploma, General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or Home schooled." (Q27)
• FAFSA Worksheet C—Do not report grants, scholarships, or other student aid under the last item on worksheet C unless the amount was reported on the federal income tax return.
• Penn State’s school code is 003329.

Parent Instructions

Determine whose information is reported on the FAFSA:

• Parent: your biological or adoptive parent and his or her current spouse. You are not permitted to report the information of a grandparent, legal guardian, foster parent or other relative as your parent.
• Marital status: a couple does not have to be legally separated in order to be considered separated for purposes of the FAFSA. The couple may consider themselves informally separated when one of the partners has left the household for an indefinite period of time due to marital difficulties.
• Divorced or separated parents: if your parents are divorced or separated, only report information for the parent you lived with more during the 12 months prior to completing the FAFSA.

Confirming that You Have Submitted the FAFSA:
Access the FAFSA Follow-Up Overview on the FAFSA Web Site


When your FAFSA is processed, you will receive an e-mail notification with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). You should review your SAR for accuracy and make any necessary corrections. If you do not receive your SAR, go to the FAFSA Web site and select: “Check the Status of a Submitted FAFSA”.

For more information on completing the FAFSA, you can go to the FAFSA Web site. If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, contact the Office of Student Aid or speak to the student aid representative at the Penn State campus nearest you.