Error analysis for the institutional process of applying for federal aid is considered as part of the Quality Control Study of the U.S. Office of Student Financial Aid. Attention is focused on the results of the data collection activities that occurred using the Department of Education's records for the Fiscal-Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), with attention to in-house data collection. After a description of the application and allocation processes, consideration is given to the types of error measures, including the likelihood of occurrence; severity, or size, of error; need consequence; and allocation consequence. The following types of comparisons that were used for each data element are also discussed: conceptually exact, cross-year, internal consistency, and cross-school. For each data element, a chart shows the error measures and the type of data sources used in the comparisons. Quantitative and qualitative methods of causal analysis and data collection procedures and problems are also addressed, along with the guidelines for performing the comparisons. Finally, the results of the error measurement analysis are summarized. Included is the form used to record information at the institution, as well as sample FISAP forms for specific institutions. (SW)