What is a SAR and when will I receive one?

After the Department of Education processes your application, you will be sent a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR outlines the information you provided on the FAFSA and reports your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is then used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. The results are sent to you and the schools you listed on your application.

If you apply electronically, a SAR Information Acknowledgement is mailed to you within 4 to 5 weeks from the date you submitted your application.

If you apply by mail, it will take 5 to 6 weeks for your application to be processed and a SAR to be mailed to you.

If it's been more than six weeks since you submitted your application and you haven't received anything, you can check on the status of your application at FAFSA on the Web or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

What should I do with my SAR?

When you receive your SAR, review the information to ensure it is accurate and complete. If there are no corrections to the SAR, simply maintain it for your records. If corrections are necessary, you have a couple of options:

Make the corrections on the SAR. Sign the SAR and send all pages back to the processor at the address provided.

OR

Make the corrections online through FAFSA on the Web, even if you didn't apply using the electronic application. You will need your Department of Education PIN to access your record. Your PIN will also serve as your signature. A parental signature (PIN) is required when parental data is changed on the application. You may make changes to all information except social security number and date of birth.