FAQs: Technical Questions
- Is FAFSA on the Web Macintosh – compatible?
- Is my application safe on the Internet?
- What if I don’t have a printer?
- What if I lose my Internet connection before I complete my FAFSA?
- My browser can’t open a PDF file, or opens it on a blank browser window. What should I do?
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Is FAFSA on the Web Macintosh – compatible?
Yes. FAFSA on the Web is fully Macintosh compatible. To determine what
browser to use, select Before Beginning a FAFSA and then
Browser Requirements from the list of options on the left side
of the home page.
Although FAFSA on the Web is fully compatible with Macintosh, Mac users will have a slightly different experience than PC users.
- If you use the Tab key to move from question to question, you must use the mouse to access list boxes and command buttons.
- If you receive an edit message that instructs you to select the OK or Cancel buttons, select “Yes” for OK and “No” for Cancel.
Is my application safe on the Internet?
Yes. Your application is safe on the Internet. FAFSA on the Web,
working with your supported browser, uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
protocol to create a secure session between your browser and the
FAFSA on the Web server. All information passed by you to the FAFSA on
the Web server will be “scrambled” through a process called encryption.
What if I don’t have a printer?
If you do not have a printer but you have a PIN, you can sign your
FAFSA electronically using the PIN instead of printing, signing and
mailing in a paper signature page.
If you do not have a printer or a PIN, you can:
- Receive a PIN while filling out your FAFSA and sign your FAFSA electronically before submitting it (2008-2009 FAFSAs only);
- Submit your FAFSA, apply for a PIN, and sign your FAFSA electronically 1-3 days after you receive your PIN;
- Save your FAFSA and submit it at a later time from a computer that is connected to a printer; or
- Contact Customer Service and request a paper copy of your SAR. You will then have to sign and return the SAR. This option takes the longest amount of time.
Important Note: For 2007-2008 only, if you apply for a PIN and select or view the PIN instantly online or have it sent to you in an e-mail, you must wait 1-3 days before using the PIN. This is because we must first verify your information with the Social Security Administration. Once we complete this verification, you will be able to use your PIN for all purposes, such as signing your FAFSA.
What if I lose my Internet connection before I complete my FAFSA?
FAFSA on the Web has an AutoSave feature that will try to save your
data if it can tell that a connection was lost. Once you reestablish
your Internet connection:
- Go to the FAFSA on the Web home page
- Select Continue Working on a Saved FAFSA under the Filling Out a FAFSA section
- Provide your Social Security Number, last name, first name, date of birth, and password
- You may be able to continue from the last AutoSave before the connection was interrupted. If the AutoSave feature was not able to save the data you will have to start a new FAFSA.
My browser can’t open a PDF file, or opens it on a blank
browser window. What should I do?
To address this issue, upgrade to the most recent version of
the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Select
Adobe
Acrobat Reader if you want to download or would like to upgrade.
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