<p>So we submit our FAFSA electronically to the government, and the government then forwards the FAFSA to colleges.</p>
<p>What's the submission delay between submitting the FAFSA, and when the college actually receives the FAFSA?</p>
<p>If I have a February 1st deadline for financial materials, how early do I have to submit the FAFSA? Thanks.</p>
<p>Schools have their own schedules for downloading that info but I think they use the actual FAFSA submission date for deadline purposes. I would submit at least a week early anyway to allow time for you to check your SAR in case corrections are needed.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Can anyone confirm that schools use the actual FAFSA submission date for deadline purposes?</p>
<p>Yes, the school can tell you what date they use…email them! In the meantime, do NOT wait until just before the deadline to file…there have been many times already this month that the FAFSA system has been unavailable.</p>
<p>^Thanks for the response.</p>