<p>I am a senior in an early college program (where i am still in high school and earning an assoicate's degree at the same time) am suppose to graduate in December 2015 and i was wondering when do i start looking into financial aid. I know a lot of seniors who are looking into it now but since i graduate a little later than most, should i start looking into finical aid now or should I wait a little longer? (i want to register for college in the spring 2015 or fall 2016) :> </p>
<p>The best scholarships come from the universities. When you fill out your college applications, there is a place to mark on whether you will be applying for financial aid. Check the “yes” box. Then, fill out the FAFSA application that comes out January 1. Your college will try to find a scholarship that fits your bio.</p>
<p>You may want to take a gap semester so starting college will align with when most grants are awarded (fall semester). Talk to your GC about that option.</p>
<p>You will be applying for admission for a spring semester? If so, I would agree it would be better for you to apply to colleges for the fall semester for,the following year. Students are now applying for the 2015-2016 school year. You won’t be done with college until 12-2015, so you would be applying for the 2016-2017 school year.</p>
<p>When the time comes (sometime late summer, early fall of 2015, look on the websites for all of your schools for the deadlines for admissions and financial aid applications.</p>
<p>The above advice is correct. Don’t start college in the spring. You won’t get much/any aid. The best aid is always awarded to those who start in the fall.</p>
<p>Also, even tho you will have your Associates, do NOT apply as a transfer student. Since you are getting your degree while still in HS, you apply as an incoming frosh…also to get the best aid. Transfers get the worst aid.</p>
<p>Even tho you’ll apply as a incoming fall frosh, you will have junior standing…that is fine. But do NOT apply as a transfer.</p>
<p>Oh…and during that semester off (January 2015-June 2015), do not take any college courses. You might find yourself applying as a transfer if you do.</p>