My freshman year is supposed to start next fall. I know the FAFSA is released January 1st, but I’ve heard from multiple sources that it is better to do it sooner. Is this advice accurate, and is it possible?
You want to do it as soon as it is possible to fill it out accurately. This means waiting for W-2s or other tax information. The sooner you fill it out, the bigger pool of federal/state aid there is to draw from.
You cannot possibly fill out and submit the 2016-2017 FAFSA online before 1/1/2016.
Do it ASAP after January 1 with the best estimates you can, then go back and link it to your tax return after you file. You can edit it in between too, if your estimates are way off but you haven’t filed yet.
The FAFSA should be done after January 1st, however, the CSS Profile can be done before or after Jan. 1st