<p>I'll almost definitely have to fill out the 2007-2008 FAFSA form, which only becomes available January 1st of 2007. I'll fill it out immediately probably, but it will still take time for FAFSA to verify it, as well as time required to get the 2006 income taxes done and the FAFSA revised for them.</p>
<p>Many college application deadlines are also January 1st. Speaking in general, probably for upper tier schools like the Ivys, how soon do most colleges generally require you to have the FAFSA completed?</p>
<p>Do many or any colleges require it to be done by the time you submit your admissions package to them? Or is there generally at least a month or two leighway after application submissions before they require it to be done?</p>
<p>Also, how do colleges usually handle payments? Are they usually required before the semester/year or afterwards?</p>
<p>Each college has their own deadlines-- make sure you meet them. You'll likely have to estimate '06 income when completing the FAFSA-- then after taxes are completed, you correct it online. No big deal.</p>
<p>Tuition payments are generally due before the semester/quarter starts, not after .</p>
<p>I say estimate your earnings the best way you can 2 jan 07 and then correct them the same darn day you have your taxes done. The earlier the better for sure.</p>
<p>I remember mid Feb as the due date for FAFSA at most schools the year my d applied. They need the info so they can send out the fin aid packages soon after the acceptances in April.
Once you are there the annual FAFSA renewal deadline is generally later, around April.
But yes it really depends with each college. Also keep in mind that most colleges have finaid applications to complete as well, don't forget those.
As far as payments go, you normally have to pay up front or sign up for a paymant plan. If you don't, your registration will not go through.</p>
<p>I'd read somewhere on the FAFSA website that it would take 2-3 weeks for it to be completed. Start at Jan 1st, add three weeks, and it's cutting it mighty close to that February 1st deadline at certain schools!</p>
<p>Apparently it's much faster (within a week or two) when filling it out online though, thankfully. That'll definitely be top priority when the new year rolls around.</p>
<p>You can also get to this draft by going to Google and type in: fafsa 2007-2008 + IFAP. Click on the link to IFAP electronic announcements. And then click the link at the bottom: draft 2007/2008. Keep in mind that this is only a draft and not the final version. This draft is probably very close to the final version that will be used for 2007/2008. For 2006/2007, the final version was available in mid November 2005.</p>