The end of the year is approaching, meaning that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA, is open and ready for submission.

As an employee of my college's Financial Aid office, I have a few tips on how to get through FAFSA season unscathed. This time of year comes with a plethora of questions and worries from students and parents alike. Financial aid applications seem scary, but as opposed to the chaotic IRS Data Retrieval shutdown on the 2017-2018 FAFSA, the 2018-2019 FAFSA should be much more functional. Here are some things you need to know about your FAFSA and financial aid!

1. Always keep an eye on your finances

Most colleges have a database where students can log on and see their bills. Sometimes colleges charge for things that can be waived, but do not notify the students. Make sure you are constantly viewing your bill to make sure that you are not charged for mistakes or things that you do not need!

2. Keep in friendly contact with your financial aid office

We usually remember the names and situations of students (and parents) so always make sure than any phone call or drop in made on your behalf is amicable. Financial Aid staff can often point out financial information to you that you may have missed or do not understand.

3. Do not hurry through (or lie on) your FAFSA

Don't complete your FAFSA in a hurry or leave any of it blank when you submit it. If anything looks odd about your FAFSA, your college will most likely select you for verification, which means you have to complete a series of tedious tasks (submitting tax transcripts, etc.) that make it longer for your aid to disburse. Make sure that when you do your FAFSA that you leave yourself with enough time and resources to complete it –– and remember that you can always save your unfinished application for 45 days.

4. The FAFSA may not cover all of your college expenses

Some people assume that filling out the FAFSA and complying with the financial aid office will grant full college coverage, but this usually isn't the case. In addition, when people find this out, they may get a little frustrated. Keep in mind that there are always scholarships and work-study opportunities available for one to utilize and lower the cost of college

5. Be aware of loan coverage

When applying for a loan, make sure that you are applying for the coverage you need. Anything that says "academic year" is automatically split in two for fall and spring semester. If you get a $5,000 loan, it will split $2,500 each semester.

6. Winter and summer semesters are NOT like fall and spring

If you find yourself needing to take classes in the winter and/or summer, you MUST talk to your financial aid office. Unless you take action, your financial aid may not apply to those semesters.

However, if you get the financial counseling that you need, we can help apply your aid to these semesters. And if you have already found yourself in this situation, there are past due loans available for winter/summer semesters (if you don't get them covered by aid, these semesters just become a past due balance on your account).

8. DO YOUR FAFSA!

All students qualify for aid! The only things that you do by not completing the FAFSA is hurting yourself. No matter how much money your family does or doesn't make, you will always qualify for some sort of aid. Beware late filers: if you submit your FAFSA after your college's deadline (usually March 1st, but may vary) you will not receive first priority and may not receive as much aid as someone who filed on time.

Here are some helpful links to help you in your financial aid endeavors... And good luck!

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) - a handy place where you log in with your FSA-ID and can view all federal aid you have received, as well as the loan lenders for such loans.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - the one, the only, FAFSA.

StudentLoans.gov - here you complete your entrance and exit counseling and Master Promissory Notes (MPN's) that all students much complete to obtain their federal loans. These are essentially agreements that the student will pay their loans back. This website is also where parents and grads can apply for PLUS loans and anyone can learn how to pay back their loans!

Salt Money - this website is a terrific educational tool that anyone can use to learn just about anything regarding student loans, free money, wise college spending, budget-making, work-study, and much more.