I just went through the online FASFA application. I'd heard so many horror stories about it - but I found it incredibly easy! I applied for a PIN, and then filled out the forms. I was doing my taxes anyway so the 3 or 4 tax related questions were all fairly easy. They are simply filling in numbers right off the tax form. And then poof! It was done!

I will have to revise it when I finish my taxes - right now the numbers are only estimates. But even that doesn't seem too tricky.

I suppose it's easier for me because I'm "independent" - I don't have to count my parents at all. I only had to put in my own information.

Lisa - My daughter and I completed the FASFA from - she was accepted to VSU (I couldn't get her to apply to Ohio State - my alum) I thought it was easy too, which has me worried since I've heard the horror stories too.

I wonder what the tricky part is - for people who have trouble with it. Is it that they don't know their tax information, and find it a huge challenge to figure that out?

Good to see this topic now because so many people miss the March 2nd deadline. SO tell your friends ..also I recommend following up 2 days later with a phone call. It is extremely easy, very short hold time and you can simply ask any questions you may have but for peace of mind a conformation of receipt!

Welcome to the forum Patricio and thanks for the reminder to everyone about the March 2nd deadline. Your recommendation to follow up with a call is also a great idea!

I have been using FAFSA for a number of years now. There is no difficulty in it's use. However, having just recently enrolled and now taking classes at UMD online, it's important to make sure your FAFSA information reaches the school you chose. Fortunately I had no "issues."
Also, as Patricio said keep up with the dates that these forms need to be filled out. This way your "ensured" to get aid in a timely manner.One of the beauties of filling out FAFSA for me is that they "store" information for later use, alleviating the pain of having to fill out a complete new form. Just remember your password!

It appears that the deadline isn't always March 2nd, either, so don't panic if it's past March 2nd! Go in and check out what the deadline is for you and your state!

I was able to fill out both the 2009-2010 and the 2010-2011 FASFAs at pretty much the same time. One applies to the "spring classes" I'm about to take starting April 15th. The next set applies to the summertime classes and onward. So I've done two sets of FASFAs now. It's really not bad. Go ahead and fill them out! You could get some free money for your schooling!