<p>For one of the colleges I am applying to, they had a CSS Priority deadline which was Nov. 1st. We sent that all in and that's good, but should I send it to the three other colleges I am applying too? They don't mention anything about needing it, just the FAFSA, but would they accept the CSS? would it even matter?</p>
<p>Also, the FAFSA deadline seems to be Feb. 1st. However, I am applying ED and EA to all of my colleges except one. How can they calculate my financial package in a timely manner when they don't require the FAFSA till Feb. 1st. Also, I was looking at the FAFSA website and couldn't find the forms for Fall 2011, only Fall 2010. Do they not even let you fill out the form until Feb. 1st is closer?</p>
<p>There is no need to send the CSS if it is not required by a school - they will probably ignore it, so save the $9.
The FAFSA goes on-line with forms for Fall 2011 on January 1. The advice I have heard is to fill it out and submit it immediately with estimates, just make sure that your estimates are close. If you filled out a CSS already, then you probably have those numbers, and can just update them based on the last pay stub of the year. This is to improve your chances of getting your full need met with the least loans.
I’m guessing that the ED school is the one that required the CSS. They will give you an estimated financial aid award, but that will be revised after you submit your 2010 tax returns.
If you get in to the ED school - ask them when the best time is to submit the FAFSA. At the school my daughter applied to, the financial aid officer told me that they won’t review the award until they do all the regular decision awards in March, so we can wait until Feb. 1.
With ED schools and financial aid, you have a chance to back out if you don’t think they gave enough aid. But you have to withdraw your application, and cannot be considered for regular decision for that college (at least that’s how it works at the school my D applied to).
With your early action schools - you may want to email those schools to ask about how they award financial aid - you may have to wait until after Jan. 1 to find out the award.</p>
<p>Check each college website and there should be due dates posted for the forms. The FAFSA form that you will need is available on January 1. For any colleges that do early financial reads and estimates, they may ask for estimates. FAFSA is used primarily for disbursement of federal aid. The internet calculators are pretty good and but unless you are very low income you probaby won’t qualify for much beyond Stafford Loans which are available to all.</p>
<p>If you are accepted to your ED school you will receive an estimated financial aid letter based on the estimated information you gave them. You’ll receive a letter in the spring confirming your actual aid package. If you get accepted to your ED school then you withdraw your other apps so that becomes moot. If you are rejected or deferred from your ED school then the same process will occur with EA, you’ll get an estimated letter until the actual numbers et filled in sometime after Jan 1. </p>
<p>Again, check the websites for each college. They can be different with regard to what they want and when they want it. While you’re waiting for your ED decision, make a spreadsheet so you know what you need to do right away if you aren’t accepted to ED.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the info. I have checked out the colleges’ websites and their deadlines are feb. 1st, so that makes sense. The process with the ED school is what I figured would happen. We have been talking to their fin. aid office so that’s been figured out.</p>