About financial aid consultants . . .

A financial aid consultant is different from a financial aid administrator. Financial aid consultants will usually charge a fee based on the services provided and the student’s particular needs. A financial aid administrator will perform these same services for free. Before considering a consultant, speak to a financial aid administrator first. Even if you are planning to attend another school, you can still contact a local financial aid office for information.

Before you sign up with a consultant, be sure to request a list of professional references from the consultant and contact those references. If you decide to use the services of a consultant, remember the following:

• The consultant’s fee should be refundable if the application is completed incorrectly.
• Never agree to a fee based on the percentage of aid received. A financial aid consultant cannot guarantee you will receive financial aid. Certain scholarships and grants awarded by schools are from funds that may or may not be awarded to every student each year.
• If the consultant prepares the FAFSA for you, he or she must sign the FAFSA as a preparer.
• Never sign a blank form. You and your parents should always review and sign the FAFSA after it has been prepared, and you should mail it to the FAFSA processor yourselves. You are legally responsible for the information contained on the form. As with all important documents, you should keep copies of the FAFSA and other applications for your files, even if someone has helped you with their preparation.