FAFSA & Early Action

<p>After reading many posts on the FAFSA, I'm still confused and really can use some input.</p>

<p>My child has pursued Early Action for college choice #1. The decision regarding admission is expected toward the end of January yet I understand that the FAFSA is supposed to be completed as early in January as possible.</p>

<p>If this college accepts my child before the FAFSA is submitted, how do they determine financial aid? Do they accept (if applicable) and <em>then</em> once the FAFSA is completed provide their offer of aid?</p>

<p>If the financial aid needed is higher than the school wishes to/can provide, would this result in the school changing their mind about their Early Action acceptance and can they do this? Any input would be appreciated.</p>

<p>If the college is need-blind for admissions, then your child will hear the admissions decision first, and then the college will follow up with financial aid (if any). They won’t change their mind about early action decisions if your child is accepted.</p>

<p>Your acceptance will not change because of your financial need. Hopefully you indicated that you intended to apply for need based aid. If not…that would be another issue.</p>

<p>Schools compute a financial aid package for students AFTER they are accepted in most cases. I don’t think schools have the time or desire to figure out financial aid packages for students they do NOT accept.</p>

<p>Some schools (not all) have an early priority deadline for either the Profile, a school finaid form, and/or the submission of previous tax returns for Early Action students. You might want to check to be sure your school doesn’t have such a deadline…which you probably missed if they do…but check first…some schools do NOT have this…they consider financial aid for all accepted students at the same time).</p>

<p>Just meet the deadlines.</p>