<p>Yay! I'm done with applications-15 to be exact. Can somebody please inform me on how to go about completing the FAFSA? So I complete it and make multiple copies of it and mail it to each school? So fifteen more envelopes? What about the PROFILE? Some schools require both right?</p>
<p>The best place to learn about FAFSA and how to do it is on FAFSA's own site: <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/%5B/url%5D">http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/</a></p>
<p>Likewise for the CSS Profile (which is controlled by the College Board): <a href="http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.js%5B/url%5D">http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.js</a></p>
<p>The FAFSA is generally required everywhere for financial aid. The Profile is required in addition to the FAFSA by a number of colleges, particularly those which provide aid out of their own funds over and above what might be US Government backed. The CSS Profile site I provided above also provides a list of colleges that require the Profile (note if your college choices are not on the list, you should still check the college's website to make sure it is not required because the College Board's list may not always be up-to-date).</p>
<p>Something you should do immediately is go to the sites of the colleges to which you have applied and look for the deadline dates for submission of financial aid forms. Dates vary from college to college and it is imperative for getting aid that you not blow the particularly college's deadline date.</p>
<p>ok, I just looked. So we are sending these forms off before we know whether we are accepted or not. PROFILE costs money. Therefore, there is a chance of just spending money to send this form without knowing whether you are accepted or not?</p>
<p>FAFSA can and should be done as close as possible to Jan 1st. Yes, this will be before you have your end of the year statements, but guesstimate, you can amend later and it is important to get it in early, IMO before their stated due date.</p>
<p>PROFILE is often due before FAFSA, some schools it was due this past November. IF your schools require it, you must file it to receive money, but there can be application waivers, check with the college aid office &/or your high school counselor.
Yes the PROFILE cost $18 a piece , but believe me, even if you get "full aid" at your college, $18, will be nothing amidst the fees for books, transportation, dorm supplies,
etc. No one should be applying to so many schools that the PROFILE and application fees cause a significant dent in their budget. It can't be said too many time, while I recognize that applying to 8 or so schools does add up, and it is necessary to have aid offers to compare, choose your schools carefully and have financial safeties that you would be happy to attend. Again my opinion, but unless you are applying to a specific program that is very competitive and random in admission, applying to more than 8 or so schools indicates that you are not really sure of what you are looking for, not to mention it is needlessly costly.
Not all schools require the PROFILE, most do not, and as it "finds" more income to be available for tuition, my recommendation would be to also have several schools in your list that don't require PROFILE.</p>