<p>I was wondering when one should start filling out the financial aid forms? Do I fill it out for every school now, even though I haven't heard from them yet, and do I do it for multiply schools, or do I wait to fill out the financial aid stuff when I pick the school?</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Usually financial aid forms are due at the same time the apps are due, and often students learn about their financial aid awards when they get their college acceptances. Check the financial aid info on the colleges’ web sites. </p>
<p>Make sure that you have a financial safety – a school you know you’ll be admitted to and can afford. For many, this is a community college or 4-year public within commuting distance.</p>
<p>Just because you need financial aid doesn’t mean you’ll get it. Relatively few colleges are wealthy enough to meet 100% of the students’ demonstrated financial need (and “demonstrated financial need” means what the college, not the students’ families, think the students need). Most colleges that can meet 100% of documented need are the most competitive in the country, places like Harvard and Stanford.</p>
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<p>Perhaps for ED or EA, but I wouldn’t say this is the norm. Most financial aid applications will be filed between January and March (right now). This is well after the admission apps that went in the fall.</p>
<p>You can’t even file the FAFSA until January 1.</p>
<p>If you are a rising freshman you can file your FAFSA before the taxes are completed by using estimates and you should file ASAP. Upperclass students need to have the taxes completed (not necessarily filed) before completing the FAFSA.</p>
<p>When you file the FAFSA, include every school that you have applied to - even if you don’t have an admission decision yet.
For the colleges to which you have applied you need to go to their financial aid websites and take notice of their requirements and deadlines. While most colleges only require the FAFSA - some colleges require the CSS Profile in addition and some require their own financial form in addition to the FAFSA.
As far as deadlines goes - the earlier the better.</p>