<p>Hey all -- wondering if someone could save me some Google time and answer a couple of nuts and bolts questions.</p>
<p>When is next year's form available?
Can it filled out and sent electronically?
Do you list school recipients just like the kids do for ACT?
What do I need to gather to get started -- that is, do I need to wait for all the W2s?
Anything else I should know?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>It is ready on 1/1/08. Fill it out with your best estimates. When you get your W-2 you can make corrections. Don't wait until you get your W-2s to fill it out initially. You can send it electronically. You list the schools to receive it. What you can do now is file for an electronic pin #. One is needed for the student, and one for the parent or parents.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, northeastmom!</p>
<p>Also, make sure that where you are applying is not a css/profile school. Many applicants do not realize that they needed to fill out that form for those schools. There is a list of profile schools on the CB website, and you should call all the financial aid offices of schools you are applying to (or email them) and check. That form can probably be filled out now with estimates. Also, some colleges also have their own forms in addition to the fafsa that require completing and perhaps they can be started now. Your welcome.</p>
<p>Northeastmom has good advice. I would add one more piece-- the FAFSA says that you can only request that six schools receive the report. If your child is applying to more than six, then send the FAFSA to the first six, wait for your report to come in a few days, and then correct it by deleting the first schools and replacing them with the remainder. It feels weird to do that, but all of the corrections you send will be part of the original file. If you have any questions, call FAFSA. They are really helpful and will be able to talk you through the process. Good luck! For me, the CSS and the FAFSA were very nerve-wracking.</p>
<p>Check, double check, and triple check Financial Aid requirements and deadlines for your schools. Some may require their own application and may want filings done earlier than you would think.</p>
<p>Anybody know if there is a rule of thumb for income that disqualifies you for FAFSA aid? Like, over 100K, don't even take the time to fill it out unless you have major extenuating circumstances?</p>
<p>It couldn't hurt to file, just in case. You never know. Or, you could use the Estimated Family Contribution calculator that some sites have-- college board (cringe...) to get a ballpark. But that is not at all a reliable barometer of how a school will react to you application for financial aid. Each one is wildly different.</p>
<p>Moominmama</p>
<p>There is a quick EFC chart on <a href="http://www.finaid.org/calculators/quickefcchart.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/calculators/quickefcchart.phtml</a> that gives ball park estimates.</p>
<p>For example, for a family of 4, 1 in college, income $100K, assets $125K, EFC is approx $22K.</p>
<p>I prefer using one of the EFC online calculators, but the Quick EFC Chart is nice if you are working with several students and don't know each family's finances.</p>
<p>Thanks, franglish and FresnoMom!</p>
<p>Oh, and another question, if the student is attending an out-of-state college, do they look at dorm costs as being part of the cost of attending college?</p>
<p>Yes, room and board are considered in the Cost of Attendance. Even if the student is attending an in-state college. You indicate on the form whether you intend to live on campus or off.</p>
<p>Another way to get a head start on the FAFSA would be go to to <a href="http://www.fafsa4caster.org%5B/url%5D">www.fafsa4caster.org</a>. You can set up an account and it will transfer your data to the FAFSA when the filing period opens on January 1. (Or so they say!)</p>
<p>Moominmama: You need to check school by school to see whether a FAFSA is needed, irrespective of income. A number of schools require it to be considered for merit aid; other's don't.</p>
<p>Just be VERY CAREFUL not to use "FAFSA.COM." I made that mistake last year. That site is a business that does the FAFSA for you. They charge money to do it. Doing it through "FAFSA.ORG" does not cost anything, and that's the correct government site. I have to say, though, that when I realized my mistake and called FAFSA.COM, they were very nice about canceling my order and not charging my credit card.</p>
<p>SCAD doesn't seem to ask for it, but it's certainly worth double-checking with them! Thanks for all these tips.</p>
<p>Actually, typing in "fafsa.org" gets you to <a href="http://www.finaid.org%5B/url%5D">www.finaid.org</a>, also a great site but not the one you're looking for. </p>
<p>The correct government site is <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov%5B/url%5D">www.fafsa.ed.gov</a>.</p>
<p>Right, Chedva, thanks for the correction! It's been a year! :)</p>
<p>All this information is wonderful. Thanks, everyone.</p>
<p>I am doing the CSS Profile now for ED. Even though the business/farm supplement is online, the university needs a hard copy IN OFFICE (not post marked) by the ED date. For some reason the CSS Profile bus/farm supplement does not get transmitted to the school in time. If in doubt, call all of the fin aid offices to check the school's policy !!</p>