How do I become a FAFSA preparer?

Typically, high school counselors, school financial aid administrators, or other mentors don’t charge a fee to help you complete your application, so they’re not considered preparers unless you paid them for their services. If you’re charging a fee to help someone complete his or her FAFSA form, then you’re a preparer.

Is Studentaid Gov legitimate?

Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov) is operated by the U.S. Department of Education and is designed to help students in the U.S. find their best options for financial aid.

What is a FAFSA preparer?

A preparer is anyone who charges a fee for helping you fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. If you’re a student filling out your own FAFSA form or a relative or friend helping a student complete his or her form for free, you’re NOT a preparer.

What is FSA partner connect?

FSA Partner Connect is for individuals involved in the administration of Title IV financial aid for postsecondary education.

How much does a FAFSA preparer cost?

Fees are relatively modest, ranging from $80 to $100 for a year, and a 100% money back guarantee is offered within sixty days of purchase. Advisors are rigorously trained and catch mistakes that even the Department of Education’s computer misses–mistakes that can deprive students of aid.

What is Question 104 on the FAFSA?

This is question 104 on the FAFSA. When a preparer completes the student’s application, the preparer must provide a Social Security Number (SSN), since he/she is taking responsibility for the accuracy of the information that is provided on the form.

What happens if you accidentally lie on FAFSA?

Lying on your FAFSA, though, is very likely to be caught during the verification process. You may be charged with a felony. Lying on a federal document like the FAFSA is a felony. You, or your parents, face up to five years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

Can I hire someone to do my FAFSA?

While there are legitimate services out there that allow you to pay someone to complete the form for you, it’s completely unnecessary. Students that have federally funded loans will find that their loans are typically assigned to a loan servicer.

Is federal student aid the same as Fafsa?

Thousands of schools across the country participate in the federal student aid programs; ask the schools you’re interested in whether they do! Apply for federal student aid—grants, work-study, and loans—using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.

Is federal student aid a loan?

We provide more than $150 billion in financial aid every year. Federal Student Aid offers three types of financial aid. Grants: Financial aid that generally doesn’t have to be repaid. Loans: Borrowed money for college or career school; your loans must be repaid with interest.

What does FAFSA prep cost?

Where can I find financial aid training events?

A number of state higher education agencies and national associations offer financial aid training events or webinars. Visit your state’s higher education agency site, browse the sites of college access or school counseling associations, or do an Internet search for training events you can attend or watch online.

How do I contact the school service center for financial aid?

If you work in a college financial aid office and have a question about administering the federal aid programs, you can find our school service centers’ contact information at fsapartners.ed.gov/help-center/fsa-customer-service-center/service-centers-for-schools.

What kind of training does the financial aid agency offer?

Our training takes the form of webinars, classroom training, and an annual conference. Most of the content of the training for FAAs is quite technical and geared toward helping them administer the federal student aid programs at their schools. However, you may find that an occasional topic is of use to you.

What is the customer service training program?

Alison’s customer service training program is designed for employees at any stage of their customer service career. It introduces the basic concepts of customer service through a 1-2 hour online course. The goal of the training is to teach reps how to handle difficult customer interactions while understanding why they occur in the first place.