<p>Hi,</p>
<p>Just went to FAFSA Web site to print off worksheet just to become familiar with it before 1/1/10. However, it seems like it's last year's worksheet. Has anyone else seen the one for this year (students entering as freshman fall 2010)?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I don’t think it is available till Jan 1st. If you google FAFSA 2010 draft worksheet there was a draft worksheet floating around. Don’t know how similar it is to the real thing but it is a place to start.</p>
<p>So funny, everything I’ve read said “Do it as early as possible” yet the form isn’t even ready yet! Happy Holidays!</p>
<p>haa, I did the same exact thing. Just get a PIN now, gather papers, etc. Wait it out till after Jan. 1, then we should talk on here about FAFSA some more 'cause I can guarantee I’ll be very, very confused at some parts.</p>
<p>Same here, but what is strange is that some colleges tell you to wait until you have actual tax info. later in January. They say that if you estimate then it may cause a huge delay. Kind of confused on when to start.</p>
<p>The main thing is to get it in by the priority filing deadlines of your colleges. For many schools that’s between mid-January and mid-February. You need to check online to find out what your colleges’ deadlines are.</p>
<p>If a college says their priority filing deadline is Feb. 15th (for example), then you really must get it in by then. If you can get it in by then with accurate numbers based on your tax info, then that’s the best. If you don’t have your tax info at that point, it’s better to estimate and just get it submitted. You can correct it later, and even if that causes some delay, it’s better than missing the priority filing deadline.</p>
<p>What I think is confusing is that people sort of generalize and say “earlier is better” as though it’s some kind of universal first-come-first-served… and where students who file at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1st are going to get the most money. That is not true.</p>
<p>If the college has a Feb. 15th deadline, a student who gets their FAFSA in on Feb. 14th will be treated the same as a student who gets it in Jan. 1. And the process may indeed go more smoothly for the student who got it filed with accurate financial information the first time.</p>
<p>Just don’t miss the deadlines! (And best to not wait until the last couple days beforehand, either, just in case there is some kind of glitch.)</p>
<p>Ironic, just heard from Case Western, because I also was looking for an Early Action Aid Estimator that was to be available starting yesterday. They said same thing "feedback said’, basically, encouraging you to wait and file taxes. Oh now I don’t know what to do! For a year I’ve been planning on sitting down very early Jan to estimate, but now I agree, is that the WRONG approach? Anyone have experience? </p>
<p>Also I have a great book “Paying for College Without Going Broke, 2008” which has a nice section on completing FAFSA and PROFILE. I’m going out to Borders to get 2010 edition this am, to make sure I have all current info. I think it’s worth $20 to not make a stupid mistake. Good luck everyone!!!</p>
<p>why do they change things every year. I mean seriously. If there’s a mistake, or if there’s a more efficient way of calculating the EFC that causes them to ask different questions, then fine change it on us. But it looks like this year’s worksheet and last year’s pretty much ask for the same information but in a different format. doesn’t that make it more confusing for everyone, and not just the students?</p>
<p>I have a question as far as the FAFSA PIN? They say both the student and parent need a PIN? Do you fill out two separate PIN applications with info that pertains to parent (soc #, etc ) and student (soc #, etc.)</p>
<p>I (the parent) filled one out with my soc. sec. info? When I try to fill out one for my son, the form indicates that a pin already exists for that address? Was I correct/incorrect in filling out this form for myself?</p>
<p>No you are correct. You have to apply for separate PINS for each student and one for a parent. We have 4 PINs. 1 for each student (including me) and one for Dad.</p>