<p>So if you're applying somewhere ED, you should get your letter back around Mid-December of whether you're accepted or not. And if you're accepted they also tell you how much financial aid you get. But you don't fill out FAFSA until Jan 1.. so how do they know?</p>
<p>Anybody? Is this in the wrong forum?</p>
<p>bump… i want to know too</p>
<p>Still looking…</p>
<p>Don’t apply early decision if you need Financial Aid. A number of schools (Harvard and UVA among them, I believe) have stopped ED because it was unfair to poorer applicants (this is why I won’t apply ED anywhere). If you get accepted, you have to go, unless you “prove” you don’t have enough FA, which entails having a lot less than enough, more so than other levels that might also not be enough.</p>
<p>Unless your family is low income, don’t apply ED unless your family can pay whatever the school determines that the family should pay…which may be a high amount.</p>
<p>Many families are surprised to learn that they won’t get any “free money” from their ED school because either the school determined that they don’t have need or the need was small enough that it can be covered with student loans and work-study.</p>
<p>I knew that… and it didn’t answer my original question. But thanks anyway. xD</p>
<p>The FIN. AID you recieve in your ED acceptance letter is just an estimate. Nothing is ever finalized until April 1st. Even people who recieve early letters in late March have tentative financial aid packages. Sometimes the amount goes significantly up; very rarely does it go down. But regardless, it is merely an estimate based on figures you gave in your application. Then, in April, you will recieve your OFFICIAL financial aid package.</p>
<p>And don’t listen to what ^^^ say about not applying ED, lol. Need-based schools will give you the same amount of money regardless of which method you use to apply because it’s based on your parents’ assets and salary which don’t change. Apply ED and EA confidently if you so choose! :)</p>
<p>all4game, for early action and decision you have to submit the CSS-Profile and occasionally other needed documents by an earlier deadline, usually around the ED application deadline. The FAFSA and the income tax returns you can submit later to be used to finalize the FA package. You should be able to find the specifics on the individual college’s admission website.</p>
<p>Thank you elbeeen and xrCalico23. :)</p>
<p>And don’t listen to what ^^^ say about not applying ED, lol. Need-based schools will give you the same amount of money regardless of which method you use to apply because it’s based on your parents’ assets and salary which don’t change. Apply ED and EA confidently if you so choose!</p>
<p>Each CSS Profile school uses its own independent formula for giving aid …so, with the same assets and income, your aid packages can vary widely at various CSS schools. </p>
<p>While you may get the same aid package from School X whether you apply ED or RD, you have NO IDEA what School X will say that your “need” really is until after you get your package.</p>
<p>Many families are surprised to learn that a school expects a lot more than they can afford.</p>
<p>Sorry for not answering your earlier question…yes, your ED FA package is an estimate.</p>
<p>Is the CSS Profile different for every school?</p>