A student can make corrections to a processed FAFSA using one of three methods.  Corrections can be made online, by paper, or by phone.

Online Corrections

Paper Corrections

Corrections by Phone

Checking the Status of Your FAFSA

Option 1:  Making Corrections Online (Requires PIN Numbers)

Step 1- If you have a student PIN number, go to Step 2.  To make online corrections, the student must have a PIN number.  Both students and parents can request PIN numbers at http://www.pin.ed.gov.

Step 2- Go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/complete014.jsp to make corrections online.  Select the correct academic year from the dropdown box, and hit “Next.”

Step 3- Corrections Confirmation Stamp:  You must go through a number of pages (clicks) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/complete014.jsp to complete your online FAFSA corrections and must obtain a “Confirmation Stamp” or your online corrections will not be completed.

Back to Top

Option 2:  Making Corrections by Paper (Student Aid Report)

If you did not receive a paper Student Aid Report (SAR), you may request one by following the instructions below.  Corrections to your FAFSA can be made by notating the correct information on your SAR and returning it to Federal Student Aid Programs in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Requesting a paper Student Aid Report (SAR):

Step 1-  Your FAFSA must first be processed.  You will receive a 2-page Student Aid Report Acknowledgment or SAR when your FAFSA is processed.  (If you reported a valid email address to FAFSA, you will receive an electronic version of the SAR.)  If you have an error on your FAFSA that has caused it not to be processed, you will have to make corrections using the online procedure described above.

Step 2-  Call 1-800-433-3243, options 1, 1 and use the automated service (called “Inquiry Express”) to request a 4-page Student Aid Report be mailed to you. 

A.     Enter the student’s Social Security Number;

B.     Press 1, if correct;

C.     Press the key with the first letter of the student’s last name;

D.     Wait to hear the auto attendant voice to verify the correct number corresponding to the first letter of your last name and press that key (example:  A=1; B=2; C=3; etc.);

E.      Press 1, if correct;

F.      Press the number corresponding to the second letter of your last name;

G.     Wait to hear the auto attendant voice to verify the correct number corresponding to the second letter of your last name and press that key (example:  G=1; H=2; I=3; etc.);

H.     Press 1, if correct;

I.       Press 1 to request a 4-page Student Aid Report to be mailed to you within 10-14 days.

Step 3-  When your 4-page Student Aid Report is received, make all necessary corrections in the appropriate boxes located in the middle of the Student Aid Report.  Have the student and one parent, if the student is considered dependent by FAFSA, sign the last page of the Student Aid Report.  Mail all pages to the Federal Student Aid Programs in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Back to Top

Option 3:  Making Corrections by Phone

Only two types of FAFSA corrections can be made by phone:  1) adding schools and 2) changing your address.

Step 1- You must have your DRN (data release number) to make corrections by phone.  Your DRN is a four digit number located in the lower left corner of your Student Aid Report.

Step 2- Call 1-800-433-3243, options 1, 0 to speak with a representative to add schools and/or change your address.  You will need the student’s name, Social Security number, and date of birth.  You must also verify your old address.

Back to Top

Checking the Status of Your FAFSA

If you received a notice stating that there is a problem with your FAFSA, you may check the status of your FAFSA online.

Step 1- Visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/follow003.jsp.  Hit “Next” on the bottom of the screen.

Step 2- On the “Check Status” page, enter the student’s information.  Hit “Next.”  Your FAFSA status should appear on the screen.

Step 3- To determine the problem with your FAFSA, hit “Next.”  On the next page, confirm the student’s identity by entering their PIN number.  This should bring up the FAFSA transactions for that academic year. Choose the most recent transaction to look at your current FAFSA.

Step 4- Choose “SAR Comments” from the menu on the left side of the page.  Possible errors will be reported on this page.  You may use one of the methods above to make corrections to fix these errors.

Back to Top

Return to "Financial Aid Home Page"