<p>The instructions on the USC website about the FAFSA and CSS deadlines are really not very clear. I quote verbatim from USC</a> Financial Aid, bolding is mine</p>
<p>Dates & Deadlines</p>
<p>January 22, 2008
New Undergraduate and Transfer student 2008-2009 CSS Profile and FAFSA Application suggested filing date</p>
<p>So is 1/22 a deadline or suggestion? If merely a suggestion, what is the deadline to file a CSS Profile and FAFSA, and are there implications of not meeting the "suggested date"? I started doing taxes so we can file these documents as early as possible, but there are way too many things I cannot guess at accurately, things like Medicare wages and some bank/interest items, mortage interest, etc. Since most providers do not roll out this info before 1/31, I am not sure how to proceed. I really don't want to file some return and then have to go through the pain of filing an amended return.</p>
<p>From what I understand, you submit with estimated numbers, based on 2006 tax returns. That's what I was advised.
Having filed the forms, I received an email from FAFSA instructing that "corrections" can be made once you have the 2007 tax return numbers. Have no idea if the same applies for CSS....I expect the same thing is possible (I'm new at this with 1st college applicant).
Also, at some point you have to send the 2007 tax return to colleges, so I imagine the final aid package is based on those numbers.
My acct also informs me you can't even file until Jan 31, so it stands to reason USC expects inaccurate or estimated figures at this time.</p>
<p>the dates for fafsa and css completion are not hard deadlines, they are exactly what they said: suggested filing dates. consider that those who apply for financial aid earlier will likely get more money.<br>
really, the fafsa and css are not THAT difficult. i did both over winter break (i'm to be a sophomore at usc)</p>
<p>Yeah, that is what I thought when I was in school too, when it took me 30 mins to file a 1040A and usually ended up paying zero taxes. 20 years later I am mired in AMT, taxable and non-taxable dividends (each of which is in turn either qualified or non-qualified), long sales, short sales, wash rules, really long sales, phaseout of the phaseout rules, limitations on itemized deductions, and all sorts of other insanity. The frustration is even greater because a moronic government that can't estimate its own spending to better than 10% expects me to project all of the above with an accuracy of about 0.5% or face the payment of underpayment penalties...</p>
<p>But enough gripes, no time for that, I have to go back to doing my taxes</p>
<p>lol, i was not talking about for myself. i do not file tax returns. my mother and i completed her tax return and then my father's, she left me with the info, and i proceeded to do all my fin aid.</p>
<p>Just to check, since there is a thread for it here... </p>
<p>I am a transfer student who looks to apply to USC for the Fall 2008 session. With the deadline to apply for financial aid being 1-22-08, just to confirm what the thread starter has asked: because I won't be able to have relevant documents to this available by, say, the end of the week or so, if I send the information in by then, instead, would there be any consequences to such actions? In other words, it's a soft deadline that won't have any penalties if turned it shortly after? </p>
<ol>
<li> Being that I am in my second year of college, I am already collecting FAFSA and a Cal Grant type of financial aid. Based on this information, do I have to reapply or merely transfer the information from my college to USC? I am curious as to what I actually have to apply for, or what other methods to partake in, since I already collect with my current college.</li>
</ol>