extra updates to FAFSA?

Paying for College
1

<p>We filed the FAFSA on 1/1. H did the taxes yesterday and the numbers are significantly different (and to our FA advantage). He isn't going to file until probably 2/1 to make sure we didn't miss any 1099s or whatever else might be out there. So, can we resend the FAFSA today as still "will file", but with "accurate" numbers, and then later make any other revisions that may come up and do "filed"? Will the schools FA department see the new "preliminary" numbers and award accordingly or will they only see the 1/1 numbers and then the final numbers?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Hmm, ok, so I went in to make corrections and I cannot keep my status as “will file”. I have to change it to something. The corrected numbers are within a few hundred dollars of what final numbers will be, but are several thousand different than originally filed. So, do I put “already completed” and accept the verification process which will show a slightly reduced income and tax than what I have now, so will be to our benefit. </p>

<p>Today’s numbers are important to report, ASAP, so should I? It does not look like I could probably change the numbers again after “already completed”. Can I?</p>

<p>A prompt response would be most appreciated as I want to get this in ASAP.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

3

<p>Sounds like the website is undergoing " maintenance". I would wait till Tuesday & see if you can change the numbers but keep it " will file".</p>

4

<p>^ I can’t keep it “will file”. It forces me to make a different selection (won’t file, already completed).</p>

5

<p>Right. Which is why I suggested wait till they are done with upgrading the site and see if you can get it to retain the will file category. Once you have completed FAFSAs numbers as “filed” you can’t go back and change it.</p>

6

<p>But do you know, if normally, numbers can be revised more than once?</p>

<p>I kind of get that once it shows as “already completed” that you can’t change numbers, but if we’re going to get verified anyway and the numbers are only a few hundred off, is it that big of a deal?</p>

7

<p>You can keep changing things. I know, because I had a heck of a time catching changes to Pell after verification. You are not supposed to make changes to a verified FAFSA (without notifying the financial aid office), but it can be done, so I know you can keep making changes at this point in time. You probably just need to wait until the site maintenance is over.</p>

8

<p>^ thanks. Do you know if FAFSA is open today?</p>

9

<p>Probably not, as they are a federal organization.</p>

10

<p>I just went back to FAFSA and was able to “move on”, so I think we’ll be good.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

11

<p>Good. Now to wait for your aid package! :)</p>

12

<p>Kelsmom, will they give you an aid package if your FAFSA status is "will file "?</p>

13

<p>It depends on the school, I suppose. We absolutely did.</p>

14

<p>Will they offer an aid package based on the new numbers (that are still will file) or will they base the offer from what we submitted 1/1 ?</p>

15

<p>They’ll presumably use the most recent version they have. Everything is subject to verification too. That is, after tax forms filed.</p>

16

<p>At the time the school packages, they will use the most recent FAFSA available to them. After initial packaging, if the EFC changes, the award MIGHT change. It all depends (as in, sometimes a reduced EFC is still high enough that Stafford loans are all the student will get). But the school will eventually look at the new EFC even after packaging & adjust the package, if necessary. </p>

<p>The only caution I have is that sometimes money is gone after initial packaging, so a reduced EFC doesn’t always result in more money … but if you held off until after filing, you might have even LESS money, so you’re still better off. Some schools have plenty of money & can award more later … others can’t.</p>

17

<p>Do you have any guess as to a “packaging” time frame? For CSS schools, will it be after they receive the CSS? For FAFSA schools will it be, let’s say, after Feb 1 (based on people being able to file taxes) or ?</p>

18

<p>Once again, the answer is the vague “it depends on the school.” Unfortunately, they are all over the map & there is no way to know.</p>