Financial Aid Process - Common Mistakes to Avoid

Completing the FAFSA | Eastern's Title IV Code | Applying for State Aid
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Common Mistakes to Avoid | Financial Aid Time Line | Early Estimator Program

Mistakes made on Income Tax Return information
Mistakes made on the Verification Form.
Common mistakes made on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Common mistakes made on Income Tax Returns provided:

1. Tax Returns are not signed.
   • One parent's signature is required on the parent's tax return.
   • Students must sign their own return.
2. State Tax Returns are filed instead of Federal Returns.
   • State Returns are not accepted by the Office of Financial Aid.
3. Wage/Earnings statements (W-2's) are submitted instead of Federal Returns.
   • If W-2 are needed, the Office of Financial Aid will request them.
4. Electronic Filing Form 8453 is submitted.
   • Electronic Filing Form 8453 IS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE OFFICE OFFINANCIAL AID, because it does not contain all of the information needed.
5. Copies of Federal Tax Returns are not legible.
   • Make sure that all the information copied is clear and legible.

Common mistakes made on the Verification Form:

1. Leaving items blank on the Institutional Verification Form.
   • Nothing should be left blank! If the appropriate response is zero then enter zero. If anything is left blank the form will be returned to you.
2. The Institutional Verification Form must be signed:
   • by a parent of a dependent student
   • or the spouse of an independent student
   • and the applicant.
3. Students enter their grade classification wrong.
   • Enter your class standing based upon the total cumulative semester hours you will have at the start of the academic year:
     1. 0-29 hours -freshman
     2. 30-59 hrs. -sophomore
     3. 60-89 hrs. -junior
     4. 90+ hrs. -senior

Note: a student who is in his/her second year is not classified as a sophomore until 30 hours have been accumulated.

Common mistakes made on the FAFSA:

1. Leaving items blank on the FAFSA.
   Nothing should be left blank. If the appropriate response is zero then enter zero.
2. Always include household size and number in college.
3. Make sure that Eastern Illinois University (001674) is listed as the first school of choice.
4. Make sure the correct grade classification is listed, according to cumulative credit hours from all institutions attended, at the start of the academic year.

Please e-mail Financial Aid for further assistance.
East Wing, Student Services Bldg
(217) 581-3713 phone
(217) 581-6422 fax

Last updated: October 27, 2003

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