File FASFA now or both FASFA & CSS Profile?

<p>I had read through posts that say it is important to file FASFA as early as possible, as the Federal work-study money dries up quickly.</p>

<p>But what if you are applying to a lot of privates that require the FASFA and the CSS profile?</p>

<p>Do you need to do estimates for BOTH right away? I understand from reading these boards that you can file estimated numbers on the FASFA and go back & modify it later.</p>

<p>But the CSS profile does not let you do modifications. It looks like once you submit it to the college --- that's it, no changes!</p>

<p>Do the private colleges want BOTH done right away, or just the FASFA now and then the CSS Profile before the end of January.</p>

<p>THANKS!</p>

<p>Check the school deadlines for the CSS Profile. If they are in keeping with when you file your taxes, you likely can wait to file it. STILL…you want to get your taxes done ASAP after Feb 1…and then do that Profile.</p>

<p>But really…check the deadlines first.</p>

<p>I am hoping my daughter can get work-study money. For her schools the financial aid deadlines are Feb. 1st. </p>

<p>So then I should go ahead and file my estimated FASFA right now as “estimated”. Then by January 30, I should be able to file Federal Taxes and do the CSS Profile. Also, on January 31st, I should be able to update the FASFA to the correct numbers?</p>

<p>Or, since I have to wait for accurate numbers on Jan. 30th for the PROFILE, should I just wait and submit both on January 30?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>So my question about priority deadlines: is there any advantage to beating the priority deadlines, or if you meet them are you in as good shape as someone who got it in weeks before?</p>

<p>If the deadline is Feb 1 and you wait until the LAST day of January, you run the risk of computer and server snafus. I would never wait until the last day to do these. We had to fed ex a document (not financial aid) because we did just that…waited until the day before…and what happened? The server got jammed and would not take it.</p>

<p>Thumper1,</p>

<p>So, is there any advantage to doing it piecemeal? Estimated FASFA now, and CSS Profile two weeks from now with a final update to the FASFA?</p>

<p>I guess I’m trying to figure out if we will be closer to the head of the line with an early-receipt timestamp on the FASFA, although our FinAid stuff is really only HALF done as far as the private colleges are concerned.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>The FAFSA is what would qualify your daughter for those limited funding federally funded programs.</p>

<p>The Profile is used for determining institutional need based funding.</p>

<p>Assuming the deadline for the PROFILE is a bit later…you could wait to do that when you amend your FAFSA…but really…do that ASAP after Feb 1.</p>

<p>Thanks Thumper1,</p>

<p>You are an AWESOME resource to this BBS!</p>