<p>I am currently a junior and will be a senior next year. </p>
<p>If I am in need of financial aid, when do I fill out the FAFSA and CSS profiles or whatever? I checked on the website and the form right now is for 2012-2013, which means it is too early for me I believe.</p>
<p>I am Class of 2013.</p>
<p>The FAFSA form will be available on Jan 1st, 2013. Not sure when the CSS form is available.</p>
<p>however, in the meantime, use the NPC calculators on the websites of the schools that you’re interested in to find out what kind of aid you can get from those schools based on your family’s income/assets.</p>
<p>If the forms come out on Jan 1st, 2013, then how would I apply for Financial Aid from my early action/decision schools?</p>
<p>You can find a school’s directions and timelines on their web sites- no matter what the general “rule of thumb” is, you have to follow what each college says.</p>
<p>Even for the 12/31 applicants, the earnings info for 2012 doesn’t come out until January of 2013. Some families will fill out an estimate on the Fafsa and CSS, then go back and correct it, when the actual detail comes in and taxes are filed. Some will wait until all taxes are prepared. It might help you to go online and look at those forms and their instructions. Some colleges will give you an aid estimate for ED, based on the info you provide, then review later, after your 2012 IRS forms are in and copied to the college. </p>
<p>Bottom line, do what each college requires, to the best of your ability. After you actually get through the Fafsa and CSS, it’s not that hard to revise. Good luck.</p>
<p>Most ED schools request the PROFILE using the prior year form that is available and tells you to use your prior year’s numbers, updated with what estimates you can make at that point of time. Based on that estimated info, you get an estimated package. You then have to update when you complete your tax return and FAFSA–you do have do complete FAFSA too and that isn’t even available til Jan 1, after your ED stuff is due and the decision already made. The FAFSA and actual tax return will determine your actual package. EA students don’t usually get their aid packages until everyone else does, since EA kids have until May1 to make the decision, though you may ask for an estimated package. Bear in mind that the estimates are entirely based on the numbers YOU provide and if they are off, so will be your final package. I’ve known some bad situations when someone left off something, forgot something or got something at the tail end of the year that rendered the estimate pretty much useless. The schools can only go on what you give them.</p>
<p>OP, please remember that for students who need a lot of fin. aid to afford college, applying anywhere Early Decision is not really recommended. You don’t have the ability to compare financial aid offers from other schools before making a commitment.</p>
<p>This isn’t necessarily a FinAid question but in terms of applying for college, do colleges have their essays/supplements updated already at this point?</p>
<p>I want to get a headstart and start writing some essays now so I won’t be as stressed during my senior year. When are they updated?</p>