<p>So i applied to about 13 schools, and submitted my first ten around January 5th. Just yesterday i took off 3 and added the rest of my schools. Everyone is saying the earlier you file fafsa the better, so those 7 schools that were left on my fafsa and got my revisions, what date will they use? Will they consider my 5th one, or are all colleges (except the 3 i took off) considering the jan 29th date of my submission.
Also how significantly will the timing actually change my aid. </p>
<p>Thank you!!</p>
<p>It depends on the school and how they go about processing the financial aid, and a bit of luck too. Most fin aid offices do the work ups when they get the lists from admissions as to who has been accepted. They then pull the files of those students and work up a package IF THEY HAVE THE INFO THERE. If they don’t, the file is put back and when the next round of names comes up, it is processed with that batch, again, only if the info is there. They cannot process without the info, so it just get replaced until the time comes that when they pick up the file and all the info they need is there, that they can procede. They don’t jump up and do your package when your info arrives. It arrives in big dumps from the government and again with a lot of other students’. </p>
<p>The earlier, the better, because some program money is limited. When SEOG money is gone, it’s gone. That and Perkins are some federal funds that are nearly always limited. Most colleges that don’t need full need do not have an endless pot of money either. So earlier, the better, but there are some things not in your control, like what order you happen to be in, within the batch being processed. That is up to chance.</p>
<p>According to cptofthehouse, the early decision/action students’ FAFSAs will be processed first. I just submitted the FAFSA a few days ago because the W2 wasn’t received until last Saturday. I had been hesitating to use estimate for FAFSA. I used estimates for CSS Profile because of early decision application. Now I need to update it. My question is: is it better to use estimates and file FAFSA in early January instead of waiting for the documents and filing at the end of January? Is the timing difference significant enough to affect the aid package? Hope to get advice for the years to come.</p>
<p>Meliora, no way to answer that question. Maybe the group of schools that are on your list don’t start doing anything until February, so it would make no difference. For those schools that are moving quickly and have accepted students’ packages together and have limitations where first come first served makes a difference, yes. We don’t know.</p>
<p>Usually, schools will have budgeted out what the return students will be getting, estimated anyways and then finalize their packages later. The actual awards are often tweaked and even drastically changed if numbers are not exactly what was reported. With the IRS retrieval system in place, we’ll see how this goes. </p>
<p>We don’t know what the procedure is at any given school. You can call your financial aid office and ask. Many are not interested in divulging actual procedures, however. But you can ask. THey are the only ones that can tell you. I’m just guessing.</p>
<p>cptofthehouse,</p>
<p>Thank you for your prompt reply. I know that the state grant can be given away quickly, especially in my state with a big deficit problem. Since the schools on the list are all out of state, which means not eligible for state fund, I hope my FAFSA application is not too late. Sure, I will definitely call the schools to know what is the best move to take. Really appreciate your help.</p>