Know which forms to use; you’ll always file the FAFSA. If you’re applying to a more expensive school, you’ll probably use PROFILE or the college’s own aid application as well.

Apply for financial aid, no matter what.

Apply as early as possible. Colleges can run out of campus-based aid quickly, both Uncle Sam’s and their own. The early bird gets the worm!

Be as accurate as possible in filling out the forms. Errors cause delays, or an inaccurate assessment of your ability to pay. To speed things up and minimize errors, apply electronically using FAFSA on the Web or PROFILE online.

Be ready to explain your answers. Schools must verify data on up to 30% of all aid applications. They will want to examine copies of your tax return. If the numbers don’t match pretty closely, they must recalculate your eligibility.

Make copies of your aid application and your signed tax return.

Respond promptly to all requests from the college financial aid office. Do not leave mail unopened thinking it is irrelevant, it is easy to miss deadlines this way.

If the student is male, he must register for the draft to be eligible to receive government aid.