<p>Alright, so I've read that the FAFSA form should be done as soon as possible once the new year comes...</p>
<p>But I have no idea where to start?!</p>
<p>I already did my CSS Profile (can someone tell me which is harder to do, the CSS Profile or FAFSA?) back towards the end of Nov.</p>
<p>But where do I even start for FAFSA?</p>
<p>Can someone give me some websites that not only will have the forms and stuff I need, but also like tips/guides on how to do it?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Everything you need is on [FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.gov%5DFAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.gov). Read around on this site and google if need tips.</p>
<p>After doing the CSS Profile the FAFSA is a breeze.</p>
<p>[Completing</a> the FAFSA: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education](<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html]Completing”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/index.html)</p>
<p>click on the 2010-2011 pdf link - page 28 0nwards gives you more detailed information about how to answer each question</p>
<p>Also the FAFSA web site in post #2 had help and FAQ buttons which have helpful additional info.</p>
<p>Recommended reading:</p>
<p>The Princeton Review book “Paying for College” is very helpful/ It provides line by line advice on completing the FASFA and answers many general questions. I got a 2009 Edition from my local library.</p>
<p>Just jump right in. It walks you through it. I’m just starting, and have only done the few step prep. Tells you what paperwork you need (driver’s licenses, tax forms, etc.). I started by requesting a PIN to electronically sign, that takes a few days. Unless you’re “estimating (and later corrrecting)”…you’ll need to wait for your tax returns anyway.</p>
<p>I have a question about the FAFSA. Is it like the CSS profile, where you can save and go back later or you have to complete it in one sitting?</p>
<p>Yes, you can save and go back later with a username and password like the CSS. It will remind you to save if you want to exit. </p>
<p>Mine is completed but I have not submitted it because it won’t let me print it. I suppose I could print page by page but I thought I’d print it as instructed (it won’t let me for some odd reason). [I know it’s not my printer but I’m going to try to print it at school on Monday.]</p>
<p>Wait R124687, </p>
<p>So I have to wait till my tax returns to do the FAFSA?</p>
<p>I can’t use the one from last year?</p>
<p>How are all these other people doing them and finishing them?</p>
<p>Do they do their taxs early? I thought people did them at about the same time (Feb.)?</p>
<p>You are able to revise the FAFSA…so once you have completed your taxes, you can revise it. You can use last year’s taxes as a good basis…use those figues and then determine: did income go up or down? interest gained on investments? etc.</p>
<p>After I submitted the FAFSA application I can still revise it after?</p>
<p>The 2010-2011 FAFSA will be available for online submission on January 1, 2010. You should do it in keeping with the deadline for the schools to which you are applying. If the school has a January deadline…here’s what you do.</p>
<p>File your FAFSA using a “will file” status which means you WILL file your taxes but have not yet done so. Use the BEST possible estimates based on your end of year pay stubs, interest statements etc. Then submit it to the school(s).</p>
<p>Do your taxes as soon as reasonably possible after Feb 1 when you have all of your 2009 documentation. Go back IN to the FAFSA website and amend your FAFSA to reflect the figures from your 2009 completed tax return and resubmit to the college(s). Change your status to “taxes completed”. </p>
<p>This is the year you want to get your taxes done as soon as possible. It is NOT the year to wait until April 15th to complete your taxes.</p>
<p>Re: Revisions on the FAFSA…some things can be revised after submission and some cannot. Typically the ONLY things that are revised are the numbers that need to come OFF of your tax returns. Your assets are not changed once you submit…unless you made a mistake in reporting them (e.g. reported an account that was not in your name, put down the wrong balance as of the date of the original submission). So…yes you CAN revise, but only certain things SHOULD be revised. What were you thinking of revising?</p>
<p>PROFILE…you can file this using estmates also BUT remember that the Profile CANNOT be amended online once it has been submitted. Make sure you print a copy of your Profile when you submit it. You will need to contact EACH college to find out their procedure for amending the Profile to reflect your 2009 tax returns. In our experience, the schools asked us to send a printed copy with hand written changes noted on it. But you need to see what YOUR schools want you to do.</p>
<p>Good luck…you’ll get it all done.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>So, how do I create an account for FAFSA? I am deeply confused (First time applying for aid).</p>
<p>First…you need to go to the FAFSA website (FAFSA.gov) and apply for a PIN number for the student AND a PIN number for ONE of the parents. </p>
<p>Once you have your PIN…go to the website and go to the section for completing a FAFSA. It will tell you what to do next. If you are completing a FAFSA for aid in the 2010-2011 school year, then you will complete the 2010-2011 FAFSA.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you print out the FAFSA worksheet first and get the information to complete that. If you’ve never done a FAFSA before, this is a good way to start. Once you complete the worksheet, it’s not all that hard to fill in the FAFSA itself.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!!</p>
<p>Make sure it is the .GOV site. There are look alikes that have FAFSA in the title that ask for money to complete forms for you.</p>