<p>Hi people!! My name is Sarah and I am here to offer a little advice for when sending in your Fafsa and Signature pages. I actually work for the Government and am one of many who process these important documents. We actually look for certain requirements on these forms before they can be put into our computer system.<br>
On the Fafsas, please make sure that you send in an original copy. We can not process a photocopy and it will be sent back to you. Make sure that all the appropriate info is filled out correctly with as few mistakes as possible. Also please do not staple or tear the Fafsa in half. I have recieved many forms that have been filled out in pencil, markers and even crayons!! Although we still process these documents, it takes a little longer to be put in the computer. Also remember that if you have torn your Fafsa in half or put staples in it, there is someone out there who has to take the time to pull the staples out and tape it back together so it can be fed into the scanner properly.<br>
Another thing that is frowned upon is sticky notes or post its attatched to the Fafsa explaining corrections or mistakes. Although I do not think that this is a big deal, a simple letter or note on a seperate paper (not stapled to the Fafsa) is a much better idea. Sticky notes are sometimes missed when the mail is being opened and does not allow for the form to be scanned. It then has to go through even more procedures to be processed which will take even more time.
Now on the sinature pages, some of the same rules apply. We do accept photocopies but we do need at least one original signature preferably in black or blue ink. Photocopied signatures will be not be processed and will be shredded. Also make sure that you are sending in the correct aid year.
The key things we look for on a sig page are: correct name, address, aid year, social security number OR barcode and of course an original signature of either the student, parent or preparer. Any will do. You'd be surprised how many sig pages that we recieve that has not been signed. It is called a signature page for a reason. Even if you sign electronically with a pin, it is still a good idea to send a page by mail. Anyhow, if these key items are not present on the document, it will be shredded. Sticky notes or written notes on the form itself is also not a good idea. Once again please attatch a seperate note in with the sig page. And once again please do not staple or tear it. Please do not cut any of the document off unless the paper is larger than standard size. A lot of people cut the page under the bar code and as with the Fafsas, there is some one that has to tape another piece of paper to make it standard size. The scanner cannot accept anything but.
We recieve a lot of colored pages or some that is printed on stationary. Although we also accept these, it is more difficult for the scanner to read these documents, ecspecially if its printed on darker paper. I understand that printers get low on ink at inappropriate times, but please make sure that the page is legible and not faded to bad. Usually, most faded sig pages can be read but if you cant read it, neither can we.
One last thing before I go...please fold your fafsas and signature pages neatly. Please no oragomi or paper airplains. Pages folded into thirds is best. We need all documents to be as flat as possible.
Well, thank you all for taking the time to read this and I hope it has helped some of you out. Im not trying to tell anyone how to fill these out, Im just trying to make things easier on everyone. If anyone has any questions at all, please feel free to contact me at:<br>
<a href="mailto:sarahmichelle_82@hotmail.com">sarahmichelle_82@hotmail.com</a></p>
<pre><code> Thank You, Sarah
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<p>P.S. I have read lots of complaints about pins not working correctly and unfortunately I know nothing about that area.</p>