<p>So for pretty much all my colleges, I stated "No" upon the question "Do I plan to apply for financial aid". But I'm rethinking it over, and I think will apply for financial aid. What happens then?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>No matter what you can apply for federal financial aid for schools and possibly get Stafford Loans. If you want to get some FA from schools you need to notify them immediately.</p>
<p>By all means, apply for fin aid unless you happen to be particularly wealthy. Check the website for each college carefully. The college will want the FAFSA, which you fill out in January (as soon as possible). Use your best guesstimate for any lines that are not yet known for certain and then make amendments on line as the tax numbers get done. (By applying early in January you are getting an early spot in line). </p>
<p>Some colleges will also want the CSS Profile, which is more in depth. You cannot amend the Profile – as changes come up, you have to notify each Fin aid office directly. </p>
<p>All of this is the hardest for the first year. After the first year, you will have picked a college and will only have that one college’s rule set to obey. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, fire off an email to Admissions for each college and say “I need to record that I will be applying to financial aid.” This should be no big deal if you do it soon. Most applicants these days do apply for fin aid. What grumps Admissions is if you act like you are “full pay” and then say “Whoops, no I’m not” late in April. Of course, by that time all the money is out the door and they will just help you sign the forms for loans. </p>
<p>Never try and “game” the system. Be honest about who you are and what your resources are. You don’t impress Admissions if you represent yourself as something you are not (money wise or anything else). </p>
<p>If you applied ED or EA, then you may have already missed some deadlines. IF you are already accepted ED and now are wanting to change over to having your hand out, man, I hope you have a good reason (home life drastically changed or some such) because you sure won’t look good. You’ll look like you applied “full pay” and you may get stuck with that (at least for the first year). Again, each college sets its own procedures. Ask directly to each college. You’ll find that the vast majority of staff are very helpful.</p>