<p>S2's top college choice is offering to provide us an early read on our financial aid package. If we fill out a CSS profile they say they will give us a package estimate within three weeks of submission.</p>
<p>My question is whether there is anything to be cautious of here? I've read on other posts here on CC that the CSS profile can produce different numbers then the FAFSA. If these numbers don't come in good it may cause us to consider Early Decision at a more selective school that's known for better financial aid.</p>
<p>The only issue I see is if your income would change much from year to year and the number wouldn’t be terribly accurate? I assume you’d have to file using last year’s taxes? Would you have to pay twice for the CSS, the second time when the new taxes are done? Is this school EA or ED?</p>
<p>The school offering the early read would be EA. Regarding “using last year’s taxes,” can we use income estimates on the CSS if we know there has been some income change over last year?</p>
<p>I guess I would try to make it approximate the actual financial year as much as possible using my best estimates if there were anticipated fluctuations from the previous tax year. You really have nothing to lose by getting the early read in my opinion.</p>