The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an essential form for students seeking financial aid for college or career school. Once you submit your FAFSA application, you can access your FAFSA Submission Summary, which contains crucial details about your application status, Expected Family Contribution, and financial aid eligibility. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to download FAFSA Submission Summary and answer the questions related to the process.
What is the FAFSA Submission Summary?
The FAFSA Submission Summary is a document provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office. It contains the answers a student gave on their FAFSA form and provides a basic idea of whether they qualify for federal student aid. However, it is not an official financial aid offer.
If the FAFSA form is completed and processed successfully, the summary also includes a Student Aid Index. The SAI is a number that colleges and career schools use to figure out how much financial aid a student may receive. It doesn’t show how much a family must pay for college or the exact amount of aid the student will get. Instead, it helps schools decide the right amount of financial support.1
Why is the FAFSA Submission Summary Important?
The FAFSA submission summary is important because it confirms that all the details you entered are accurate. This helps you avoid mistakes that could affect your financial aid. It also shows your Expected Family Contribution, which colleges use to decide how much financial aid you can get.
Additionally, the summary helps you understand if you qualify for grants and loans, making it easier to plan for college expenses. Some colleges even require this summary to process your financial aid. Without it, you might miss out on important financial support for your education.
How to Download FAFSA Submission Summary?
You can download FAFSA submission summary only when it is ready. Once your FAFSA submission summary is ready, you will be informed via email. If you have received the email, you can download it by following these simple steps:
Step 1:
First, open the official FAFSA website. On the top right corner of the homepage, you will see a button labeled “FAFSA Form.” Click on it, as shown in the image below.
Step 2:
After clicking on the FAFSA form, a login page will appear. You will see two options:
“Start New Form”
“Access Existing Form”
Click on “Access Existing Form,” as shown in the image below.
Step 3:
After clicking on “Access Existing Form,” enter your username and password to log in to your application form, as shown in the image below.
Step 4:
After logging in, you will see your form on the My Activity page. Click on it, as shown in the image below with a red circle.
Step 5:
When you click on your application form, a large page will open where you will see all the steps and important information about your application form. For security reasons, we have hidden this information in red color. At the bottom of this page, you will see a blue button labeled “FAFSA Submission Summary.” Click on it, as shown in the image below.
Step 6:
As soon as you click the “FAFSA Submission Summary” button, your full submission summary will appear. It will show the Eligibility Overview section first. Then, you will see the FAFSA Form Answers option. Next to it, you will find the School Information option. After that, the Next Steps button will appear. These four steps show your full submission summary. If you want to print it, look at the top right corner where you will see the “Print This Page” button. Click on it, as shown in the image below.
Step 7:
When you click “Print This Page,” a print window will open. You can print it directly or save it as a PDF. As shown in the image below.
By following these 7 simple steps, you can easily download FAFSA submission summary and keep it safe for future use.
Common Issues and Solutions.
Although the FAFSA website usually works well, you may sometimes face different errors while downloading the FAFSA submission summary due to technical or internal issues. There’s no need to worry if this happens. We have provided detailed solutions for some of the most common errors below.
Cannot Log In.
This error happens when there is a mistake in your login credentials, like your username or password. If you see this message while trying to log in, carefully check your username and password for any errors. Once you are sure everything is correct, try logging in again.
Unable to Complete This Action.
When you click on “Download FAFSA Submission Summary” and see the message “Unable to complete this action,” it usually means there is a technical issue with the website. In this situation, you need to wait for a while. Try again after 24 hours. If the problem continues, contact FAFSA support.
FAFSA Submission Summary Not Available.
If you see the error “FAFSA Submission Summary Not Available” while downloading the summary, it means your submission summary is not ready yet. FAFSA will send you an email notification as soon as it is available. Once you get the notification, you can try downloading it again.
Trouble Downloading the PDF.
If you are having trouble downloading the PDF, there is no need to worry. This might be a temporary issue. Try again after 24 hours. If you still face the same problem, try using a different browser or clearing your cache before attempting again.
Conclusion
Downloading your FAFSA Submission Summary is a simple but crucial step in managing your financial aid process. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly access and review your FAFSA details. Always ensure your information is correct, and reach out to your school’s financial aid office if you have any concerns.
FAQs
What if I find an error in my FAFSA Submission Summary?
You can make corrections by logging into your FAFSA account and selecting "Make Corrections".
Can I download my FAFSA Submission Summary on my phone?
Yes, you can log in through a mobile browser or the myStudentAid app to view and download it.
Do I need to send my FAFSA Submission Summary to my college?
Most colleges receive your FAFSA data automatically, but some may require a copy. Check with your school's financial aid office.
How long is the FAFSA Submission Summary available online?
You can access it until the end of the academic year in which you applied.
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(How to Download FAFSA Submission Summary?)
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide official financial, legal, or governmental advice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on FAFSA and your financial aid status, please visit the official Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov
- Reference: Student Aid Website [↩]
