If you’re a college student who seeks financial aid, part of your annual ritual is filling out a
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which lets you see what financial aid you qualify for. In its own way, the application is as important as any research paper or test you’ll complete at school.

Main Street offers up some advice for filling out the form. Here are some of its suggestions:

* There can be advantages to filing early. Some states offer aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, if you expect to come into a bunch of money within the next few weeks, you’re better off filing before you get the funds. The poorer you appear to be, the more aid you’re likely to receive.

* Talk to the school to work out deadline problems. If circumstances will prevent you from completing the form before your state’s deadline, let your school know as soon as you can so it can make accommodations.

* File your taxes as soon as possible. Officials will merge your tax information with your application, so you’re best off completing your taxes as soon as you can so you can get your FAFSA processed faster.

11 Tips to Mastering the FAFSA [Main Street]

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