Top 10 Tips To Manage 2024 FAFSA Issues

By Sasha Bulatskaya | Published on March 11, 2026

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Are you having issues with this year’s FAFSA? Or are you feeling confused about how to begin your financial aid process? For many, navigating the FAFSA can feel overwhelming. This video tutorial will help guide you through what you need to fill out and complete the FAFSA, unique issues with the application to be aware of, plus our top ten FAFSA tips for 2024.

Get help from Patrick, a former financial aid administrator and expert in helping students and families complete the FAFSA and understand college financial aid in general.

Watch below for a step-by-step breakdown of the FAFSA application, addressing the unique challenges of the 2024 academic year.

FAFSA 24-25 Walkthrough Explained With Tips - YouTube

You Can Appeal Your Financial Aid Award

Even if you submit your FAFSA early and follow all the steps, you may not get the financial aid award you were hoping for. But don’t worry—you can appeal! In fact, data from Marketwatch suggests that the chances for a successful appeal are much higher this year than normal.

To be prepared to appeal quickly, have an appeal letter ready to go with necessary documentation to ensure your appeal is reviewed and processed by your top schools prior to the May 1 decision date. This way you can make the best informed decision weighing the financial costs.

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About the Author

Sasha Bulatskaya

Sasha is the Senior Manager of Brand and Content at Earnest. She has been writing for ten years and has been focused on educational finance and financial aid for over three. Her passion for mission-driven companies brought her to Earnest in 2020, and she's been helping make student finance more accessible ever since. She strives to demystify personal finance and student loans to help borrowers make the best decisions for their financial situation.

Disclaimer

This blog post provides personal finance educational information, and it is not intended to provide legal, financial, or tax advice.