How to Add Schools to FAFSA

Choosing which schools to apply to can be overwhelming, especially when considering how it impacts your financial aid application. Fortunately, adding schools to the FAFSA is simpler than it seems.

The FAFSA is the gold standard for financial aid. Since it's probably the single most important document in any attempt to find money for your college education, you need to get it right. It can be a slow, detail-oriented process to fill out the FAFSA, but here's what we'll help you with in this article:

• How to add schools to the FAFSA
• When to fill out the FAFSA
• How the FAFSA works

Having been an undergrad student myself, I understand how confusing navigating federal aid, school aid packages, and scholarships can be, and here at Bold.org, we bring years of expertise in student financial aid. We know it's crucial you don't make any mistakes on your FAFSA so that you aren't denied aid. That's why we're here to help guide you.

Because the FAFSA is an important document that needs your time and attention, I will guide you through the process and make sure you understand the FAFSA in its entirety. So, if you’re evaluating your school choices and need to know how to add them to your FAFSA, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started.

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Understanding the FAFSA

Understanding the FAFSA application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is crucial for students who are in need of financial assistance. The online application is required by most colleges and universities to determine and award federal financial aid, including grants, work-study, and loans. Let’s talk about its key components.

Eligibility

The FAFSA determines if you qualify for federal aid based on financial need, academic progress, and other factors. It's open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and some eligible non-citizens.

Financial Aid Types

Types of financial aid include federal grants (i.e., Pell Grant), work-study, and federal student loans (i.e., direct subsidized, unsubsidized loans, etc.)

Schools

You can list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA, and each school will use your financial information to create a financial aid package.

Going to school will cost money. The FAFSA and other forms of financial aid, like scholarships, can help with that. As a result, you need to be sure you're filling out the FAFSA correctly—otherwise, you may get less money or none at all.

How FAFSA Works

The FAFSA is a required document to submit to secure federal student aid.

Here’s how it works:

1. Filling Out the Form: You fill out the FAFSA form online at studentaid.gov, providing financial and personal details.
2. Student Aid Report (SAR): After submitting, you receive a SAR summarizing your information, which includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — a number schools use to determine your aid eligibility.
3. Financial Aid Package: Schools use the FAFSA to offer you a financial aid package, which may include federal, state, and institutional funds.

Overall, FAFSA is the essential gateway to securing financial aid for higher education. By submitting the form, students can access various financial resources to help cover the cost of their education. And remember, listing multiple schools helps students compare financial aid offers.

Important Dates to Remember

To stay ahead of the game, you'll want to remember these dates:

• FAFSA Opens: October 1st of each academic year.
• Deadline: June 30th, 2025, for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year.
• Corrections and updates: September 14th, 2025

When it comes to this timeline, it's essential to recognize how important it is to submit your FAFSA on time, or if not, before the deadline(s). If you miss the due date, your funding may be in jeopardy or even completely declined, so be sure to set some time aside to fill it out. The sooner you do, the better.

Adding Schools to Your FAFSA: Step-By-Step

Knowing the specifics of the FAFSA form can make all the difference when it comes to applying; this includes making simple edits to your form, specifically adding schools to your list of institutions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:

1. Log in to Your FAFSA Account

• Go to the official FAFSA website and log in with your FSA ID (username and password). If this is your first time accessing the form, create an FSA ID.

2. Accessing the FAFSA Form

• Once you’re logged in, select the FAFSA form for the current academic year (i.e., 2024-2025, 2025-2026) to start your application. If your application is already in progress, look for "Make FAFSA Corrections" and click on it.

3. Click the "Schools" Section

• Next, look for the "School Selection" page. This is where you will add schools to your FAFSA.

4. Add or Remove Schools

• Adding a School: You can search for schools by entering their name, city, or Federal School Code (you can find these codes on the FAFSA or the school’s website).

Tip: If you have the unique code assigned to each school or the Federal School Code, you enter it to search for it faster.

• Removing a School: If you want to remove a school, just click the "Remove" button next to that school in your list.
• Bonus: You can list up to 20 schools on the FAFSA.

5. Save Your Changes

• Save your changes once you’re done correcting, adding, or removing schools to your FAFSA.

6. Submit Your FAFSA

• Once you’ve added all the schools you wish to include, submit your updated FAFSA. This will allow the newly added schools to access your information for financial aid consideration.

If you need to add more than 20 schools, you can make corrections later to include additional schools or remove other schools. You will also need to update your FAFSA frequently if you are applying to a lot of schools.

So, don’t stress! You can always make changes to your school list at any time. Be sure to check your FAFSA confirmation page to ensure all finalized details.

Remember: FAFSA corrections and/or updates are due September 14th, 2025.

Working with the Financial Aid Office

If you’re like me and need extra confirmation that your FAFSA has gone through, contact the financial aid office at each school to check that your FAFSA was received. This will ensure that these colleges confirm your application is received. You must have the correct information on your form to avoid any delays. Be sure to double and triple-check your form before submitting it.

Also, make sure to contact the financial aid office with any questions or doubts you may have. Inquire about how the financial aid office uses your FAFSA information to determine aid, including your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Tips for FAFSA Success

I always want to leave you guys with tips for success, so below you will find some valuable recommendations for when it's time to fill out your FAFSA:

1. Gather all financial documents early (i.e., tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, etc.)
2. Submit FAFSA as early as possible to maximize aid opportunities.
3. Review the SAR for any errors or issues that may need correcting.
4. Read over all questions carefully.
5. Double and triple-check for any errors.
6. Move to a quiet, secluded place for optimal focus.
7. Refer to the FAFSA site or contact the institution's financial aid department for any questions or concerns.
8. Read all fine print to ensure a full understanding of aid terms.
9. List all schools you are interested in on FAFSA.
10. Remember to review, revise, and submit once you’re finished!

For more financial resources that can help you on your college journey, sign up for a free profile with Bold.org and start applying for scholarships today.

Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions About Adding Schools to Your FAFSA

Why is adding schools to the FAFSA important?

Adding schools to your FAFSA is important because it allows you to compare financial aid offers and make an informed decision about which school to attend according to how much aid you will be receiving. The good part is that adding multiple schools to your FAFSA won't have any impact on any financial aid packages the schools may offer you.

Can you add more schools after submitting your FAFSA?

Yes, you can add more schools to your FAFSA after submitting it. You just have to go back into the “Schools Section” page to add or make any corrections. It may take a few days for the changes to be processed, so don't be alarmed if the changes don't reflect right away. And remember, you are allowed to list up to 20 schools on your FAFSA application.

How many schools can you add to the FAFSA?

You can add up to 20 schools to your FAFSA, so be sure you list your top choices first. However, even after your top schools are listed, you can return to your "Schools Section" and add or remove any remaining schools. Use the 'Remove' button next to the school to remove a school. It's a relatively easy and simple process. If you have any questions, contact your financial aid office or refer to the FAFSA site.

Does adding schools to the FAFSA affect how much aid you will receive?

No, adding schools to your FAFSA won’t impact your financial aid packages. However, I suggest adding your most desired schools first to maximize your aid money. Although the order of schools (i.e., most to least desired) will not affect your financial aid package either, it's still good to prioritize them.

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