{"id":3101,"date":"2026-10-09T13:33:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:33:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/?p=3101"},"modified":"2026-10-09T20:25:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T01:25:04","slug":"fafsa-mistakes-parents-can-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/fafsa-mistakes-parents-can-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"Completing the FAFSA: 6 Common Mistakes Parents Can Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n.rk-mm {\n  max-width:760px;\n  margin:0 auto;\n  padding:18px 0;\n  color:#30343a;\n  font-family:\"Open Sans\",Arial,sans-serif;\n  font-size:17px;\n  line-height:1.75;\n}\n.rk-mm * {box-sizing:border-box;}\n.rk-mm p {margin:0 0 18px;}\n.rk-mm h2 {\n  font-family:Exo,Arial,sans-serif;\n  font-weight:700;\n  font-size:26px;\n  line-height:1.3;\n  color:#262c30;\n  margin:0 0 20px;\n}\n.rk-mm a {\n  color:#246b83;\n  text-decoration:underline;\n  text-underline-offset:3px;\n}\n.rk-mm .hero {\n  background:#F4F3F2;\n  border-radius:24px;\n  padding:38px;\n}\n.rk-mm .pill {\n  display:inline-block;\n  background:#d9ede5;\n  color:#205741;\n  padding:5px 14px;\n  border-radius:30px;\n  font-size:12px;\n  font-weight:700;\n  letter-spacing:1px;\n  text-transform:uppercase;\n}\n.rk-mm .series {\n  color:#3084A0;\n  font-weight:700;\n  font-size:14px;\n  letter-spacing:2px;\n  margin:18px 0 12px;\n}\n.rk-mm .hero h2 {\n  font-size:44px;\n  margin-bottom:18px;\n}\n.rk-mm .byline {font-size:14px;color:#555;}\n.rk-mm .emphasis {\n  font-family:Exo,Arial,sans-serif;\n  font-size:28px;\n  font-weight:700;\n  color:#3084A0;\n}\n.rk-mm .step {\n  border-top:1px solid #ddd;\n  padding-top:26px;\n}\n.rk-mm .step h2 {\n  display:flex;\n  align-items:flex-start;\n  column-gap:16px;\n}\n.rk-mm .number {\n  display:inline-flex;\n  align-items:center;\n  justify-content:center;\n  flex-shrink:0;\n  width:42px;\n  height:42px;\n  border-radius:50%;\n  background:#52BE9D;\n  color:#fff;\n  font-size:23px;\n}\n.rk-mm .copy {padding-left:58px;}\n.rk-mm .guide {\n  background:#edf5f8;\n  border-radius:20px;\n  padding:30px;\n}\n.rk-mm a.button {\n  display:inline-block;\n  background:#E31D1A;\n  color:#fff;\n  padding:12px 23px;\n  border-radius:30px;\n  text-decoration:none;\n  font-weight:700;\n  font-size:15px;\n  margin:5px 0 20px;\n}\n.rk-mm .assignment {\n  background:#edf8f3;\n  border-left:5px solid #52BE9D;\n  border-radius:0 16px 16px 0;\n  padding:28px;\n}\n.rk-mm .actions span {\n  display:inline-block;\n  background:#fff;\n  border:1px solid #bce3d3;\n  padding:6px 13px;\n  margin:0 6px 10px 0;\n  border-radius:25px;\n  color:#285e49;\n  font-size:14px;\n  font-weight:700;\n}\n.rk-mm .resource {\n  display:block;\n  padding:16px 0;\n  border-bottom:1px solid #ddd;\n  font-weight:700;\n}\n@media(max-width:600px) {\n  .rk-mm {font-size:16px;}\n  .rk-mm .hero {padding:26px;}\n  .rk-mm .hero h2 {font-size:34px;}\n  .rk-mm h2 {font-size:23px;}\n  .rk-mm .copy {padding-left:0;}\n  .rk-mm .guide,.rk-mm .assignment {padding:24px;}\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <header class=\"hero\">\n    <span class=\"pill\">For parents and families<\/span>\n    <p class=\"series\">MONEY MONDAY<\/p>\n    <h2>FAFSA Without Fear<\/h2>\n    <p>Set aside some time, gather what you need, and work through it one section at a time.<\/p>\n    <p class=\"byline\">By Sherri Ross, Imagine Scholarships <br>Money Monday on Red Kite<\/p>\n  <\/header>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <p>If the <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/h\/apply-for-aid\/fafsa\" style=\"color:#3084A0; text-decoration:underline;\"><b>FAFSA<\/b><\/a> has been sitting on your October to-do list staring at you, this is your friendly reminder:<\/p>\n<p class=\"emphasis\">You can do this.<\/p>\n  <p>Every year, I talk to families who put off completing the FAFSA because they think it&#8217;s going to be complicated, they aren&#8217;t sure they&#8217;ll qualify for aid, or they&#8217;re afraid they&#8217;ll answer something incorrectly.<\/p>\n  <p>And I understand. When a form involves your child, college AND your finances, suddenly every question feels very important.<\/p>\n  <p>But here&#8217;s what I want you to know:<\/p>\n  <p class=\"emphasis\">The FAFSA doesn&#8217;t have to be scary.<\/p>\n  <p>And before you begin, let&#8217;s talk about a few of the mistakes I see families make most often.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"step\">\n    <h2>\n      <span class=\"number\">1<\/span>\n      <span>Assuming you make too much money to complete the FAFSA.<\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"copy\">\n      <p>Please don&#8217;t make this decision for the colleges.<\/p>\n      <p>The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal student aid, but FAFSA information may also be used by states and colleges when awarding their own aid.<\/p>\n      <p>Even if you don&#8217;t expect to receive need-based federal aid, completing the FAFSA may still be worthwhile.<\/p>\n      <p><strong>My rule:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t count yourself out before you&#8217;ve even applied.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"step\">\n    <h2>\n      <span class=\"number\">2<\/span>\n      <span>Mixing up the student&#8217;s information and the parent&#8217;s information.<\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"copy\">\n      <p>This sounds simple until you&#8217;re halfway through the FAFSA and can&#8217;t remember whose information belongs where.<\/p>\n      <p><strong>Slow down and read carefully.<\/strong><\/p>\n      <p>The student is the person applying for financial aid. Parents who are required to provide information are considered contributors.<\/p>\n      <p>Each person should use their own StudentAid.gov account. Don&#8217;t create one family account and pass the login around.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"step\">\n    <h2>\n      <span class=\"number\">3<\/span>\n      <span>Guessing instead of reading the question.<\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"copy\">\n      <p>FAFSA questions can look familiar enough that it&#8217;s tempting to think, <em>I know what they&#8217;re asking.<\/em><\/p>\n      <p><strong>Don&#8217;t assume.<\/strong><\/p>\n      <p>Read the entire question and use the FAFSA help information when you&#8217;re unsure. A few extra minutes now can save you from having to correct information later.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"step\">\n    <h2>\n      <span class=\"number\">4<\/span>\n      <span>Forgetting to include colleges.<\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"copy\">\n      <p>You don&#8217;t have to wait until you&#8217;ve been accepted to a college to send it your FAFSA information.<\/p>\n      <p>Add the schools you&#8217;re considering so they can receive your FAFSA information.<\/p>\n      <p>And remember: sending FAFSA information to a college does not mean you&#8217;re committing to attend.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"step\">\n    <h2>\n      <span class=\"number\">5<\/span>\n      <span>Thinking \u201csubmitted\u201d means \u201cfinished.\u201d<\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"copy\">\n      <p>This one is important.<\/p>\n      <p>Once you submit the FAFSA, watch for your <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/articles\/fafsa-submission-summary\/\" style=\"color:#3084A0; text-decoration:underline;\"><b>FAFSA Submission Summary<\/b><\/a> and review it.<\/p>\n      <p><strong>Then keep checking your email and college portals.<\/strong><\/p>\n      <p>A college may need additional documentation or ask you to verify information. Don&#8217;t let an unread email stand between your student and potential financial aid.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"step\">\n    <h2>\n      <span class=\"number\">6<\/span>\n      <span>Waiting for the \u201cperfect\u201d time.<\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n    <div class=\"copy\">\n      <p>This may be my favorite FAFSA mistake because we do this with so many things.<\/p>\n      <p><em>We&#8217;ll do it when things calm down.<\/em><\/p>\n      <p>Friends, you have a high school senior.<\/p>\n      <p>Things are not calming down.<\/p>\n      <p><strong>Pick an evening. Order the pizza. Open the laptops. Get started.<\/strong><\/p>\n      <p>You don&#8217;t need a perfect evening. You just need an hour when everyone agrees not to wander away.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rk-mm\">\n  <section class=\"assignment\">\n    <h2>Your Money Monday assignment:<\/h2>\n    <p>If you haven&#8217;t completed the FAFSA yet, make this the week.<\/p>\n\n    <p class=\"actions\">\n      <span>Gather<\/span>\n      <span>Start<\/span>\n      <span>Submit<\/span>\n      <span>Follow up<\/span>\n    <\/p>\n\n    <p>One form won&#8217;t determine your student&#8217;s entire college future\u2014but completing it is an important step toward understanding what college may actually cost.<\/p>\n\n    <p>And that&#8217;s what Money Monday is all about:<\/p>\n\n    <p><strong>Helping families make smart money decisions before the college bill arrives.<\/strong><\/p>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:0\">The FAFSA is one step in your family\u2019s college plans. For more help along the way, explore <a href=\"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/what-is-red-kite\/for-parents?utm_source=red_kite_blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=fafsa_mistakes_parents_can_avoid&amp;utm_content=closing_parent_resources\"><strong>Red Kite\u2019s Parent Resources<\/strong><\/a> for practical tips on planning and paying for college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"\n  background-color: #F4F3F2;\n  border-left: 6px solid #52BE9D;\n  border-radius: 14px;\n  padding: 34px 36px;\n  margin: 32px 0;\n  box-sizing: border-box;\n  font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;\n  color: #303030;\n\">\n\n  <p style=\"\n    margin: 0 0 10px;\n    padding: 0;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    line-height: 1.5;\n    letter-spacing: 2px;\n    color: #EF3340;\n  \">\n    KEEP SCHOLARSHIPS ON YOUR LIST\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h3 style=\"\n    margin: 0 0 20px;\n    padding: 0;\n    font-family: 'Exo', Arial, sans-serif;\n    font-size: 30px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    line-height: 1.3;\n    color: #282828;\n  \">\n    Working on the FAFSA? Make room for scholarships, too.\n  <\/h3>\n\n  <p style=\"\n    margin: 0 0 28px;\n    padding: 0;\n    font-size: 17px;\n    font-weight: 400;\n    line-height: 1.8;\n    color: #303030;\n  \">\n    The FAFSA is one important step toward paying for college. Keep going with a free, personalized scholarship search through Red Kite to find opportunities that fit your student\u2019s goals and background.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <a\n    href=\"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/?utm_source=red_kite_blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=money_monday_fafsa&amp;utm_content=closing_scholarship_cta\"\n    style=\"\n      display: inline-block;\n      background-color: #EF3340;\n      color: #FFFFFF;\n      border: 0;\n      border-radius: 9px;\n      padding: 17px 26px;\n      box-sizing: border-box;\n      max-width: 100%;\n      font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;\n      font-size: 18px;\n      font-weight: 700;\n      line-height: 1.5;\n      text-align: center;\n      text-decoration: none;\n    \"\n  >\n    Get Your Matches \u2013 It\u2019s Free \u2192\n  <\/a>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"\n  background-color: #F4F3F2;\n  border-left: 6px solid #3084A0;\n  border-radius: 0 16px 16px 0;\n  padding: 32px;\n  margin: 32px 0;\n  box-sizing: border-box;\n  font-family: 'Open Sans', Arial, sans-serif;\n  color: #303030;\n\">\n\n  <p style=\"\n    margin: 0 0 20px;\n    font-size: 13px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    line-height: 1.5;\n    letter-spacing: 1.5px;\n    color: #47616A;\n  \">\n    ABOUT THIS CONTRIBUTOR\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div style=\"\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    flex-wrap: wrap;\n    gap: 22px;\n    margin-bottom: 26px;\n  \">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/?utm_source=red_kite_blog&#038;utm_medium=referral&#038;utm_campaign=fafsa_mistakes_parents_can_avoid&#038;utm_content=closing_scholarship_cta\" style=\"\n      display: block;\n      max-width: 100%;\n      text-decoration: none;\n      border: 0;\n    \">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/assets.myredkite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/cropped-cropped-RedKite-Logo-Horiz-RGB300-1.png\" alt=\"Red Kite \u2014 Financial Aid. Untangled.\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1920px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1920\/800;display: block;\n          width: 215px;\n          max-width: 100%;\n          height: auto;\n          border: 0;\n          margin: 0;\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n    <\/a>\n\n    <span aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"\n      font-size: 20px;\n      line-height: 1;\n      color: #79868A;\n    \">+<\/span>\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/imaginescholarships.com\/\" style=\"\n      display: block;\n      max-width: 100%;\n      text-decoration: none;\n      border: 0;\n    \">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/assets.myredkite.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Imagine-Scholarships-Logo-with-Transparent-Background.png\" alt=\"Imagine Scholarships\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1657px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1657\/949;display: block;\n          width: 170px;\n          max-width: 100%;\n          height: auto;\n          border: 0;\n          margin: 0;\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n    <\/a>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n  <h3 style=\"\n    margin: 0 0 14px;\n    padding: 0;\n    font-family: Arial, sans-serif;\n    font-size: 25px;\n    font-weight: 400;\n    line-height: 1.3;\n    color: #111111;\n  \">\n    Helpful advice for your college journey.\n  <\/h3>\n\n  <p style=\"\n    margin: 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    font-size: 18px;\n    font-weight: 400;\n    line-height: 1.7;\n    color: #303030;\n  \">\n    Sherri Ross of Imagine Scholarships shares practical advice to help students and families navigate the financial side of college planning.\nThrough the Red Kite and Imagine Scholarships partnership, we&#8217;re bringing families useful tools, trusted resources, and guidance to help make college more affordable.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For parents and families MONEY MONDAY FAFSA Without Fear Set aside some time, gather what you need, and work through it one section at a time. By Sherri Ross, Imagine&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3102,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[151],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3101","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-financial-advice"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Completing the FAFSA: 6 Common Mistakes Parents Can Avoid - Red Kite Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/myredkite.com\/blog\/fafsa-mistakes-parents-can-avoid\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Completing the FAFSA: 6 Common Mistakes Parents Can Avoid - Red Kite Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For parents and families MONEY MONDAY FAFSA Without Fear Set aside some time, gather what you need, and work through it one section at a time. 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