Getting Started

• THERE IS NO FEE TO FILL OUT THE FAFSA, it is a free application for federal student aid.
• If your FAFSA is completed after the March 1st priority deadline you will receive lower priority consideration for many grants, need based low interest rate loans, and work study.
• Do not wait for an admissions decision before filling out your FAFSA.
• Complete ALL items on the FAFSA application.  Use a “0” for items that are not applicable.
• Enter your Social Security Number CORRECTLY.  If you enter it incorrectly, your SAR will have a reject code and your application will be rejected.  You will need to file a new FAFSA.
• Virginia Tech is listed as Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the school code is 003754. (Step 6, Item #101a)
• Enter the appropriate housing code. (Step 6, Item #101b)
• Complete asset items 40-42 in Step 2, and 88-90 in Step 4. (Online corrections to this information will prompt the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid (USFA) to request a form that could delay financial aid awards and/or disbursement.
• Include your current e-mail and your physical mailing address.
• Use your PIN (and your parent’s use their PIN if you are dependent) to electronically sign the FAFSA application.  (You may also print, complete, and mail the Signature Page to the Federal Processor within 10 days of submitting your FAFSA.  Be aware that mailing in a signature page will slow down the processing of your application.)
• Print or save your confirmation page.  This will verify that the Federal processor received your FAFSA.

Checking and Making Corrections

• You can check the status of your FAFSA online. (You will need to provide your PIN.)  It is ideal to check your status:
  • 3-5 days after submitting your FAFSA if you signed with an electronic PIN
  • 7-10 days after submitting your FAFSA if you printed, completed, and mailed in a Signature Page
• While actual tax information is preferred, due to deadline dates, use of estimated tax information is acceptable.  
• IRS Data Retrieval available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov on February 1, 2012.
• Do not send tax return forms to the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid.
• If our office requests taxes, access to electronic tax information is available approximately 2 weeks after filing/Paper 6-8 weeks after filing.

FAFSA/Help Sites

Apply for financial aid at Virginia Tech by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet allows you to read and complete the questions before entering your information online. The questions are listed in the same order that they appear on the Web site.

FAFSA4caster will help you get an early start on the financial aid process by providing you with an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid.