<p>I know this is really common knowledge, but this is a really big deal for me. When do I start to fill out the FAFSA form? I got really scared on Home</a> - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid because it said that the deadline was June 30. I am a senior right now, graduating in 2013. Hoping to attend college 2013-2014. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>No, it’s not due until January! You’ve got plenty of time.</p>
<p>Oh phew 
thanks for that. Is the form already out yet then? I didn’t see it on the website for 2013-2014</p>
<p>It’s not that it’s due in January. It’s due whenever the schools say it’s due (probably the sooner the better, though). However, you can’t even begin to fill out the FAFSA for your freshman year’s application-- the one you’ll be doing now-- until January 1, 2013. I think that’s what the above poster meant. You will likely need to complete the FAFSA for each year of aid that you’d need. The FAFSA for the next academic year is never available until January 1 of that calendar year. That means that you and your grown-ups will probably need to get all of the financials organized earlier than might be the usual habit.</p>
<p>College financial aid is always based on annual income for the prior year. So for the Sept. 2013 - May 2104 school year, aid is based on your 2012 income. FAFSA can be filled out beginning in January, since until Dec. 31 of 2012 your income is not final.</p>
<p>Your parent(s), guardian, or whatever and you can fill it out as soon as you have all of the W-2’s and other information, or if income is fairly predictable do an estimated FAFSA if the forms are delayed for some reason - and then update the FAFSA when those forms are received.</p>
<p>For freshman year it is vital to get that done early in January, because need-based scholarship money is often handed out on a first come, first served basis. After that, many schools have a later deadline for returning students than for freshman as they figure that if you needed aid your first year, you will probably need it in later years as well.</p>
<p>Just want to add that there are no dumb FAFSA questions! If you don’t know something, it is always best to ask. Better safe than sorry.</p>