The Feb 1st ‘complete the forms’ deadline some schools have seem aggressive. Would it be better to estimate the tax numbers this weekend or wait until next week once all W-2 forms, schedules etc are received?
On time best estimate. Late could mean disqualified. And some forms of aid are first come first served.
Thanks BrownParent!
On time…with the best possible estimates…use your end of year pay stubs.
It’s so frustrating that the deadline isn’t a week later. I still haven’t received my W2, we have every thing else but that. I went ahead and filed but will have to correct. Sent Fafsa to all schools and CSS Profile to the one that required by 2/1. Getting taxes done next week, W2 should come Monday or Tuesday. Then will have to go through it all again with real numbers.
The first year is generally the only year you have to do it so early.
On time always trumps final numbers, if final numbers will not be ready until after deadline.
We filled the FAFSA out the first week of Jan. and updated it this week after our taxes were done. Our estimate was off by less than $150, so I thought that was pretty good. 
We’ll have to verify with the IRS Retrieval Tool, when it’s available (because we’re among the selected few), but our original filing date is what remains on record. Fill out the forms with your best estimates.