<p>hi, i realized i should probably start figuring out some financial stuff since i will need a lot of aid/scholarships in order to finance college. i have looked a bit at scholarships, but what should i do now regarding both aid and scholarships? what is a good way to get started on the process and what should i be keeping track of or need to look up? thanks</p>
<p>make sure you file your CSS profile and FAFSA and institutional aid form by the deadlines for each of your colleges...start early on the scholarship apps b/c a lot of the deadlines will pass even before you realize, especially w/college apps in your way</p>
<p>Start online searching for the the FAFSA worksheet material and you will
find some calculators that will give you an idea what your expected family contribution (EFC) will be. That will give you one basis for how much you can expect to contribute. Colleges use different formulas so it's not etched in stone. Keep this is mind, as some folks forget if a school is giving you financial assistance and you get an outside scholarship - many (not all) schools use that to reduce their portion - not yours! The best scholarships are often merit ones offered by the schools themselves -be sure to check those out as well.</p>