FAFSA - should I send it in today?

<p>Should I really submit it today with our information from 2005? It seems wrong, since they ask us for the 2006 information. I can amend it later and that's considered okay?</p>

<p>Well, it's better if you ESTIMATE your 2006 information, perhaps based on your 2005 returns. Do that, and send it in - soon.</p>

<p>So we can update the FAFSA when we actually get the 2006 forms?</p>

<p>yes- there have been times when I "updated" the FAFSA three times!</p>

<p>I've been wondering about this. If I wait for tax returns and whatnot (Probably the end of January), will I get less aid than if I do it today and just estimate everything?</p>

<p>Best to give estimations based on last year taxes and/or w-2's than wait to send it. I heard that it is on a first come first serve basis.</p>

<p>It wouldn't be considered fraud to give a totally wrong answer and then update it, would it?</p>

<p>David- no- estimating, and then correcting is common, and expected. You'll check the box that says "will file" taxes. Then when you've filed (or your parents have filed), you correct the FAFSA online and change the income numbers, and change the check box to "have filed" taxes.</p>

<p>The college aid offer you receive based on the estimate is provisional. They won't make a firm offer until they have the final income numbers. It's routine to estimate, and correct FAFSA.</p>

<p>Estimate income conservatively, though. Easier to let the financial aid office take away a little aid, than to try to pry more aid from them after they've already allocated aid.</p>

<p>(Adding-- It would be problematic if you indicated no income, after having made significant income in '06. Just make a good faith, conservative estimate).</p>

<p>Well, my parents made around 12k this year. lol.</p>

<p>I filed the FAFSA w/my D on Jan 1st with estimates. We had our end of year paystubs. I have a 1099 coming and couldn't find all my checks from that job, so I estimated that figure. </p>

<p>The reason we did it then is because my D's #1 college choice wanted to come up w/figures by the middle of the month. Her #2 choice has offered her a full ride (athletics) and want to have her sign a letter of intent on the first possible day (in Feb.), so the #1 choice wants to see how close they can come.</p>

<p>The EFC calculated to roughly $1,800. I really don't think her #1 choice will offer close to that, but there's always hope.</p>