Do I need to add school codes when filling out FAFSA? First-timer confused about timing

Yes, you should definitely add school codes when you initially submit your FAFSA. Schools won't receive your information unless you list their code. You can add up to 10 schools initially, and you can always go back and add/remove schools later after submitting. Just log back into your studentaid.gov account, go to your FAFSA form, and select "Make FAFSA Corrections" to update your school list. Make sure you use the correct Federal School Codes - you can search for them right in the FAFSA application. Don't worry about finalizing all your choices right away, but add any schools you're considering so they have your information early in their process.

Put ALL ur schools!! My brother only put 2 and had to pay $40 to send his info to other schools later. BIG mistake!!

I work in a financial aid office, so I can add some clarity here. Yes, definitely include school codes when you submit your FAFSA - you can list up to 10 schools initially. After your FAFSA is processed (takes about 3-5 days), you can log back in and replace schools if needed. Important notes: 1. Schools only receive your FAFSA data when their code is listed 2. The order of schools matters in some states for state aid purposes 3. All schools you list will see the other schools you've added (something to be aware of) 4. You can add more schools later by removing some current schools and adding new ones My recommendation is to list all your top choices immediately so they can start working on your financial aid package as soon as possible. Schools have priority deadlines, and being late could impact your aid eligibility.

when I did my fafsa last year i forgot to add my community college and had to call them 5 times before someone fixed it lol the phone system is AWFUL

Adding school codes is SUPER important!!! I didn't add mine initially because I wasn't sure where I was applying yet...big mistake. By the time I added my top choice, they had already distributed most of their institutional aid. Don't be like me - add all possible schools from the start, even if you're just considering them. You can always update later, but getting in the system early is crucial.

To answer your follow-up question about schools seeing other schools - yes, they can see all the schools you've listed, but it RARELY affects your aid package. Federal aid formulas are standardized, so your SAI (Student Aid Index) will be the same regardless. Where it MIGHT matter: - Some competitive private schools might use this list to gauge your interest - Some states require you to list state schools in a specific order for state grants But for most applicants, it has zero impact on your actual aid offers. The much bigger concern is making sure schools get your information early in their process.

i just put all 10 schools when i did mine and then switched them later when i decided where i was actually going!! better safe than sorry

One other tip - take screenshots of your submission confirmation page after you submit your FAFSA. I had an issue where one of my schools claimed they never received my FAFSA information even though I definitely added their code. Having proof of submission with all school codes listed saved me a major headache.

As someone who just went through this process last year, I can't stress enough how important it is to add ALL your potential schools right from the start! I made the mistake of only adding my "safe" schools initially because I wasn't confident about getting into my reach schools. Big mistake - by the time I added my dream school after getting accepted, they had already awarded most of their need-based grants to students who had their FAFSA information earlier. The good news is that you can definitely manage and update your school list after submission. Just remember that each time you make changes, it takes a few days for schools to receive the updated information. So if you're on the fence about a school, just add it now - you can always remove it later if you decide not to apply or attend. Also, don't stress too much about the order unless you're applying for state aid. Most federal aid is the same regardless of how you list your schools. Good luck with your applications!

Hey Elin! I'm also a first-generation college student and just went through this process myself. Everyone here has given you great advice, but I wanted to add one more thing that helped me - when you're looking up those Federal School Codes, double-check them! I accidentally entered the wrong code for one of my schools (混淆了similar numbers) and didn't realize until weeks later when the school contacted me saying they never received my FAFSA. Also, since you mentioned your parents never went to college, make sure you're aware of each school's financial aid deadlines too. Some schools have priority deadlines that are earlier than the federal deadline, and missing those can really impact your aid package. Most schools list their deadlines right on their financial aid websites. You've got this! The fact that you're asking these questions shows you're being really thoughtful about the process. Don't hesitate to reach out to the financial aid offices at your schools if you have questions - they're usually super helpful with first-gen students.

Hi Elin! As another newcomer to this whole process, I just wanted to say thank you for asking these questions - I had the exact same concerns! Reading through everyone's responses has been incredibly helpful. I'm also a first-gen student and was feeling overwhelmed about the school codes and timing. Based on what everyone's shared, I'm definitely going to add all my potential schools right from the start. It sounds like the consensus is pretty clear that it's better to include too many schools initially rather than risk missing out on aid opportunities by adding them later. One thing I'm taking away from this thread is to create a checklist: add all school codes immediately, double-check the codes are correct, take screenshots of the confirmation page, and check each school's individual financial aid deadlines. The stories about missing out on institutional aid really drove home how important the timing aspect is. Thanks again for starting this discussion - it's exactly what I needed to see as someone navigating this for the first time!

Hey Elin! I'm new to this community and also navigating FAFSA for the first time, so your post really resonated with me. After reading through all these responses, I feel like I've learned so much! I had no idea that timing could be so critical for institutional aid - I was planning to submit with just my top 3 schools and add others later, but now I'm definitely going to include all 10 slots right away. The story about missing out on aid by adding schools later really opened my eyes. One question I still have after reading everything - if I end up not applying to some of the schools I put on my FAFSA, is there any downside to having included them? Or is it really just better to cast a wide net initially? Thanks for asking all the questions I was too nervous to ask myself! It's so helpful to see other first-gen students going through the same process.