Many families feel a sense of relief after they click “Submit” on the FAFSA.

Done, right?

Not quite.

After you submit the FAFSA, the government sends something called the FAFSA Submission Summary — and it’s one of the most important steps families overlook.

If there’s an error on it, your financial aid can be delayed, reduced, or completely wrong.

Here’s what you need to know.

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What Is the FAFSA Submission Summary?

The FAFSA Submission Summary is the report you receive after your FAFSA is processed.

It shows:

• The information you entered
• Your household and income details
• Your calculated aid eligibility
• Any issues that need correction

Think of it as your financial aid report card.

It’s your chance to fix mistakes before colleges build your aid packages.

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Where Do You Find It?

You’ll usually get an email saying your FAFSA has been processed.
Then you must log back into your FAFSA account to view the summary.

It may appear in:

• The student’s FAFSA account
• Student email
• Parent email

If you don’t go look for it, you might never review it.

And colleges will use it anyway.

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What Should You Review Carefully?

Go through it line by line and check:

✔ Household size
✔ Number of students in college
✔ Parent marital status
✔ Income and tax data
✔ Assets (if reported)
✔ Student vs. parent information

Even a small error — like selecting the wrong filing status or number in college — can change aid eligibility.

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Why This Matters So Much

Colleges use your FAFSA data to decide:

• Grants
• Scholarships
• Work-study
• Federal loans

If your FAFSA is wrong:

• Your aid offer can be lower
• Your file can be flagged for verification
• Your award can be delayed
• You may have to redo forms under pressure

Families often say:
“I didn’t realize that was wrong.”

But by then, deadlines may have passed.

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If You See a Mistake — Fix It Immediately

You can log back into FAFSA and make corrections.

Do not wait for colleges to “figure it out.”
They won’t.

They assume the FAFSA is accurate unless you correct it.

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A Common Parent Assumption

Many parents think:
“If something’s wrong, they’ll contact me.”

Sometimes they will.
Sometimes they won’t.

And while you’re waiting, your aid is frozen.

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Final Thought

Submitting the FAFSA is not the finish line.

Reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary is what protects your student’s financial aid.

It takes 5 minutes.
It can protect thousands of dollars.

And it can prevent major stress later.