So I plan to defer my enrollment to college, but I’m not sure if I should file the Fafsa this year or not? I am doing an exchange year, but I want to already be accepted to college before going. I haven’t been accepted yet, but results come out I’m April or March. Sorry for rambling, anyways, should I file the Fafsa this year or wait until I get back? Thanks
What do you mean an exchange year? For your senior year in HS? If you intend to take a gap year you need to talk to the college that has accepted you and you want to attend to arrange that. If they agree (most do) then you’ll fill out the FAFSA next year. Ask them what they want you to do.
What if you get accepted to college and decide you’d rather be at college than at your Gap program? How will you afford Freshman year if you haven’t filed? Or what if the program you want to go on doesn’t accept you?
I’ve already been accepted for the exchange program, just not to uni.
What exchange program?
Applications for financial aid have deadlines which are approaching. I would suggest you complete the financial aid application forms for this admissions cycle. You will accomplish two things…you will see what your potential aid will be, and you will also have it just in case you change your mind about the exchange program…or something happens that prevents you from going on it.
@“Erin’s Dad” It is the Rotary Youth Exchange program.
My son may be doing a gap year as well. He is applying to schools that require the CSS Profile (which has a fee for each college). Seems a bit crazy to pay a fee and not even use it. However, I feel it is critical to do because a factor into which school he goes to will be the cost. You can’t determine the cost till you fill out the financial aid forms.
If you need to see the financial aid package of each school before committing to a college/university, from which you will then defer matriculation for the year, you need to meet the FAFSA/CSS Profile deadlines of the schools you’re currently applying to.