Oops! As with any lengthy application, it’s easy to make mistakes or omissions on the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA®). In some cases, an applicant’s personal information changes and has to be updated on the form. Some corrections are more important than others — like a typo in your Social Security number — and need to be handled with special care.
Luckily, most errors can be corrected fairly easily. We’ll discuss when you need to update your information, how to make FAFSA corrections, and some special cases that require guidance from your school of choice’s financial aid office.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• You can make simple FAFSA updates online through the Federal Student Aid website.
• If you received a paper FAFSA Submission Summary by mail, you can make your changes on the form, sign it, and send it to the address listed.
• You generally have until mid-September to make FAFSA corrections.
• Significant changes may require contacting the financial aid office.
• To change your Social Security Number, you’ll need to update your account settings and wait for the Social Security Administration to verify the change.
How to Make Simple Updates to FAFSA
The FAFSA asks for your personal information as it stands on the day you sign your form. It’s understood that details may change, and making updates is not a problem. (Of course, it’s best to avoid FAFSA mistakes altogether.)
Some FAFSA changes are easier to make than others. For example, it’s easy to add or drop colleges on your schools list or change your answer to the “Unsubsidized Loan Only” question online. You can also make simple changes by hand if you receive a FAFSA Submission Summary in the mail.
Make Changes Online
You can make simple changes to your FAFSA on the Federal Student Aid website. Here are the steps:
• Log into your StudentAid.gov account and navigate to your main dashboard.
• Go to the “My Activity” section of your dashboard and select your processed FAFSA form.
• At the top-right corner of your FAFSA form, select “Actions,” then select “Make Corrections.”
• Make the necessary corrections.
• Submit the form.
Mail in a Corrected SAR
The FAFSA Submission Summary is a document summarizing the info on your FAFSA. When you first submitted your FAFSA, you should have received either an email with a link to your FAFSA Submission Summary or a paper copy by mail. You can also find it by logging in to your StudentAid.gov account dashboard, selecting your processed FAFSA submission from the “My Activity” section, then choosing “View FAFSA Submission Summary.”
If you received a paper FAFSA Submission Summary by mail, you can make your changes on that form, sign it, and send it to the address listed on the form.
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Deadlines for FAFSA Updates
The federal deadline for submitting the FAFSA is June 30, but corrections are accepted for a couple of months after that date. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the last day for corrections and updates is Sept. 12. 2026.
Keep in mind that state and college deadlines vary, and that some financial aid is given out on a first come, first served basis. If you need to make substantial changes, call your financial aid office to find out about any other deadlines you should be aware of.
For more important dates, check out our guide to FAFSA deadlines.
Important Updates
Some corrections and updates need to be handled with special urgency and care. This includes your contact information and anything that affects your dependency status — including if you become pregnant.
To make updates, follow the steps above and watch out for your updated FAFSA Submission Survey to confirm the changes have been made.
Other important updates require a call to your school of choice’s financial aid office. The office will tell you whether your FAFSA needs to be updated and the best way to do it. In some cases, the office can make changes electronically, so the student doesn’t have to do anything.
Call the financial aid office first for the following:
• Change in marital status.
• Significant changes to income (yours or your parents’) for the current year.
• Change in the number of family members in the household (yours or your parents’).
• Change in the number of people who are in college in the household (yours or your parents’).
• You or your parents filed an amended 1040-X tax return.
• Other changes in circumstance that cannot be reported on the FAFSA.
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Updating Your Social Security Number
If you entered your Social Security Number (SSN) wrong on your FAFSA, you’ll need to do the following:
• Log in to your StudentAid.gov account and update your SSN in your Account Settings.
• Once the Social Security Administration verifies your account status, you can update the information on your FAFSA form by selecting “Make a Correction.”
• Update your SSN on your FAFSA, then navigate through the rest of the form.
• Submit the form.
💡 Quick Tip: Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too.
If You Miss the Deadline for Updates
If you made an error on your FAFSA that results in you receiving less financial aid than you should have, there’s not much you can do. Still, it’s a good idea to call your school’s financial aid office and explain your situation. They may be able to help you find any remaining financial aid — especially state grants and scholarships — to cover your cost of attendance until the following year.
Another option is private student loans. Educational loans disbursed by a private lender can help students who didn’t qualify for enough federal aid. It’s important to note that private student loans do not come with the same protections that are baked into federal aid, such as deferment and income-based repayment. Here’s a good summary of the differences between private student loans vs. federal student loans.
Still, for students who do not qualify for federal loans or who need additional funds to cover the cost of college, private student loans can help bridge the gap.
The Takeaway
Making corrections and updates to your FAFSA is typically straightforward. Simple changes can be made on the FAFSA website even after the deadline for submitting the application. It’s a good idea to follow up by mailing a corrected Student Aid Report (SAR) to the address listed on the back. A new SAR will confirm that your changes were made. For some important updates, it’s recommended that you call your school of choice’s financial aid office. They include changes in marital or dependency status, and significant financial changes.
Since the FAFSA unlocks grants, work-study programs, and federal student loans, it’s important to make corrections as quickly as possible. This can help avoid any delays in receiving financial aid.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
What is the #1 most common FAFSA mistake?
One of the most common FAFSA mistakes is leaving blank fields, or skipping questions. Applicants often do this because they think a question doesn’t apply to them. But too many blanks may lead to miscalculations or having your application rejected. Be sure to enter a “0” or “not applicable” instead of leaving a blank.
What happens if you put incorrect info on FAFSA?
If you provide incorrect information on your FAFSA, it can affect your financial aid eligibility, delay processing, or require verification by your school. Minor mistakes can usually be fixed by submitting a correction online. Serious errors, especially intentional misreporting, may result in loss of aid or legal consequences. Schools may also request documentation to verify details.
Can FAFSA be modified?
Yes, you can modify your FAFSA after submission to fix errors, update details, or add schools. Simply log in your StudentAid.gov account, navigate to the “My Activity” section of your dashboard, and select your processed FAFSA form. You can then select “Actions,” followed by “Make Corrections.” For significant changes, however, you may need to contact your school’s financial aid office.
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