- About Merritt
- Admissions
- Degrees & Majors
- African American Studies
- Allied Health Programs
- Arts
- Biology & Chemistry
- Business & Technology
- Career & Technical Education
- Child Development
- Communication
- Distance Education
- Educational Technology
- English / Humanities
- Environmental Management
- Human Development
- Landscape Horticulture
- Languages
- Learning Resources
- Legal Administration
- Mathematics & Physical Sciences
- Paralegal Studies Department
- Physical Education
- Physical Sciences
- Social & Behavioral Sciences / Ethnic Studies
- Student Services
- Student Life
- Library
How To Use FAFSA On The Web
Students may apply and make corrections online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. In order to submit a correction, a personal pin number is required. Students may obtain a financial aid pin on-line at http://www.pin.ed.gov
HOW TO USE THE ONLINE FAFSA
Step 1. Before beginning a FAFSA
- If you don’t already have a PIN, apply for one now at www.pin.ed.gov. You’ll need a PIN to electronically sign your FAFSA. If you’re a dependent student, your parents should also apply for a PIN now so they can electronically sign your FAFSA
- Your PIN will be e-mailed to you within 1 to 5 days. If you do not provide an e-mail address, your PIN will be mailed to your permanent mailing address within 7 to 10 days.
- Your PIN is confidential and should not be shared with anyone, even if someone else completes your FAFSA for you.
- Section 1 on the home page of www.fafsa.ed.gov has a list of all the documents you will need to fill out your FAFSA
In Section 1, you’ll also find the deadline for your state’s financial aid programs. State deadlines vary and occur earlier than the deadlines for federal student aid.
Step 2. Filling Out a FAFSA
- Some applicants find it helpful to fill out a Pre-Application Worksheet before completing their online FAFSA. Worksheets are available at the Financial Aid Office.
- Select “Fill Out a FAFSA” in Section 2. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you filled out a Pre-application Worksheet, use it to complete the application.
- Remember that the first “F” in FAFSA stands for “Free!” There is no cost to apply for federal student aid, and free help is available. If you need help completing your application:
Click the “Contact Us” link on any screen to chat online with a Customer Service Representative
or
Call 1-800-4-FED-AID to Speak to a Customer Service Representative.
- Once you’ve completed your application, review your answers carefully and, if necessary, correct them before submitting your FAFSA.
- Sign your FAFSA. You can sign electronically with your PIN, print a paper signature page to sign and mail in, or wait for a signature page to arrive in the mail. If you are a dependent student, a parent will also need to sign.
- Submit your application by selecting the “Submit my FAFSA Now” button on the very last page of the form. Once you submit your application, you’ll be taken to a Confirmation Page that shows your confirmation number and estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your school will use your EFC to determine the types and amounts of aid you’re eligible to receive. Print a copy of the Confirmation Page for your records.
Step 3: FAFSA Follow-up
- You’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) Information Acknowledgment in the mail about 2 weeks after submitting your online FAFSA. If you provided your e-mail address, you’ll receive an e-mail with a link to your SAR on the Web in no more than 5 days.
- Review all of your answers on your SAR and make sure they are correct. If you estimated your income, compare your FAFSA answers to your tax return or other financial records and correct any answers that are wrong
- Return to www.fafsa.ed.gov after submitting your FAFSA to check on the status of your application.
With your PIN, you can also:
- Check the results of your processed FAFSA.
- Correct any errors you made while filling out your application.
- Print a copy of your SAR information.