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;
- 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.
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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