<p>Yes, this is a rhetorical question, but I would really appreciate any specific information people can share.</p>
<p>Me and H are self-employed; only got K1s a few days ago. Will file 2010 asap. I already sent 2009 returns to whatever schools asked for them. I filed FAFSA in first few days of Jan 2011; did CSS profile by deadline, but I couldn't get returns done any sooner.</p>
<p>I am missing out on lots of money? Some? Depends on the school? No one really knows?</p>
<p>Depends on the school. Some schools do “run out of money”… others not so much.</p>
<p>In future years, financial aid deadlines are usually later.</p>
<p>I’m new at this but here are some thoughts, fwiw. If you filed the fafsa in January with estimates, I would guess most schools could and do prepare FA packages with those numbers. If the estimates turned out to be way off from the actuals, then the FA packages would be adjusted accordingly. Many parents use estimates when filing. By filing early, you are probably in a better position for the school aid if you showed need and the final numbers didn’t reflect greater income. That’s my understanding anyway.</p>