Today, I filled out the free FAFSA application at www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply for federal student aid so that I can take some classes this summer.

But first, I paid $79.99 for a third-party service to file my free federal student aid application for me.

I typed “FAFSA” into Google and clicked on FAFSA.com, the top result and a Sponsored Link.

I completed the form and was surprised when my credit card number was required to submit my application. I had to pay $79.99 to apply for student loans? I thought it was strange, but I haven’t applied for student loans in almost 10 years. In the end, I decided it must be legit. I put in my credit card number and hit submit.

That’s when I knew I had just paid $79.99 to Student Financial Aid Services Inc. to file my FAFSA form for me. I was using a third-party service NOT affiliated with the Department of Education.

I blame no one but myself. FAFSA stands for FREE Application for Federal Student Aid. I paid to file an application with FREE right in the name! The statement “We are not affiliated with the Dept. of Education” on the fake FAFSA site actually links to the REAL FAFSA site: www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Please don’t be a fool like me and pay to fill out your FAFSA.

Beware this fake FAFSA site.