<p>Helllo!</p>
<p>So I was only able to submit my FAFSA today (Mar 3rd), several hours after the official California deadline had already passed. I've been promised financial awards (tuition remission, NRT, and a stipend) by my graduate program, but they didn't mention the FAFSA in the award letter so I'm not sure if I completely ruined my chances at receiving a stipend this year. What should I do?</p>
<p>I doubt FAFSA is needed if you’ve been offered those merit awards. Usually grad awards are merit. FAFSA is only needed to apply for loans. </p>
<p>Just quickly submit FAFSA if you’re worried.</p>
<p>Is this a PhD program?</p>
<p>PS…I doubt the state of Calif has a FAFSA deadline for grad students.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response!</p>
<p>It says on the school’s website that the FAFSA deadline is Mar 2nd, both for graduate and undergraduate students, but you’re right, that may just apply to students looking for loans and need-based federal aid. I already submitted my FAFSA this morning, just in case, and am going to talk to financial aid office tomorrow to be sure, but hopefully, everything will be fine. And yes, this is for a PhD program. :)</p>
<p>Your PhD award (tuition and stipend) are not likely based at all on FAFSA. Those awards are merit based. </p>
<p>It sounds like your school (not California) has a Feb 2 date, but that likely will not affect you at all since your awards aren’t tied to FAFSA. </p>
<p>Good PhD programs are funded, as you’ve experienced. Submitting FAFSA is usually not necessary. That’s more for those in masters programs that need loans.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the help! I was going off of information listed on the FAFSA website regarding state deadlines: [Student</a> Aid Deadlines - FAFSA on the Web - Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm]Student”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm). I don’t think most states have individual deadlines (my home state of Georgia, where I attended college, certainly didn’t), but California’s is apparently Mar 2nd for the 2013-14 school year.</p>
<p>I think that Calif deadline is for Calif residents who are looking to qualify for Cal Grants.</p>