<p>Happy New Year everyone!</p>
<p>Quick question about 'applying early':</p>
<p>Often times students will approximate their FAFSA information before their taxes are done. This gets the financial aid process going but when taxes are done, the student can easily go back and more accurately complete the FAFSA.</p>
<p>Is there an equivalent method for the CSS? Can you send updated figures to your school(s) once taxes are done? How close of an estimate should you aim for?</p>
<p>FAFSA can (and must be) be updated online.</p>
<p>CSS information must also be updated but (unless there is a change this year) there is no facility to do it online. You have to mail the changes.</p>
<p>Make the estimates as close as possible. Your initial aid offers will be based on these estimates so the more accurate they are the more realistic a idea you will get of what your aid may be. If you underestimate your income your initial offer may be higher than you will get based on real figures which could lead to unpleasant surprises late in the day.</p>