10 Top Tips for Finding Financial Aid

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The federal government authorizes students may get help from fee-based federal student aid application preparation services. (The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 re-approved this option.) Legitimate professionals charge modest fees and must inform students of the "free" option of preparing the application themselves.

Just as some people get help from a professional income tax preparer, fee-based FAFSA preparation services can help maximize students' aid.

The biggest advantage is accuracy. Top FAFSA preparers not only use computer reviews but read every answer. The Dept. of Ed only uses a computer review and it can approve applications with incorrect answers, which could lower a student's aid award.

James Boyle, president of College Parents of America, which searches the Web for the best services for parents with college-bound students, recommends Student Financial Aid Services, Inc. He was on radio programs this week. http://www.collegeparents.org/cpa/about-ontheair-radio.html

Most aid is offered first-come, first-served. Nearly everyone can benefit. Applying in January is the smartest move. No need to file income taxes before preparing your aid application. Accurate estimates of your adjusted gross income are acceptable.

If you miscalculate your adjusted gross income or make a simple mistake, you could lower your aid award. Your taxable income is not your adjusted gross income. If funds from a retirement fund are withdrawn, check to see if they are taxed or not. Don’t roll this figure into both your untaxed income and the adjustable gross or you’ll inflate your expected family contribution and lower your aid award.

States, colleges, and the federal government have different deadlines. The earliest state deadline is Feb. 15.

Mistakes on dependency questions are common because children of divorced parents often believe that the parent they live with is their legal guardian and that they are in a legal guardianship. Not true in all cases. Answering incorrectly changes your status to “independent” and that usually changes your aid.

If someone in your family has a job loss, you may be eligible for more aid. Check the “dislocated worker” question. You must meet 1 of the 4 criteria. Assets are treated differently for “dislocated workers,” and this could reduce your expected family contribution to zero, which increases your aid award.

Don’t count your house as an asset. While your home is one of your biggest investments, a primary residence isn’t considered an asset on the FAFSA. Including it will reduce your aid.

When calculating assets, not all businesses are treated the same. A family-owned business with fewer than 100 employees isn’t an asset on the FAFSA. If you make a mistake on this one, your application won’t be rejected but you will receive less aid than you deserve.

Transposing numbers or mistyping are common errors. List your name and Social Security number exactly as they appear on your card. Double-check everything.

Marc Alexander of CA 7:46PM January 13, 2010