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<p>If you’re starting in January 2010, then you would file the current 09/10 FAFSA which is based on 2008 income. There is no getting around that.</p>
<p>If you’re starting in Sept 2010, or January 2011, you will file the 10/11 FAFSA which is available in January. That will be based on 2009 income.</p>
<p>Financial aid is based on a school year (generally fall through summer), not a calendar year. There is always a one calendar year “lookback” on income information for FAFSA.</p>