<p>Oh, it will? The income will likely stay consistent, but how would I use 2014 information? Or maybe I’m confused - I’m thinking one does the FAFSA at the same time one applies to college, so before the calendar year is over, and tax stuff isn’t due til like April, right? Assuming I’d need to know how much fin aid I might get before I accept an admissions over, wouldn’t I end up using 2013 stuff?</p>
<p>And thanks! 
Hopefully, with a non-automatic scholarship or two, I might end up not taking any loans at all, since I don’t have a bunch left to cover.</p>
<p>Edit: Okay, so I think I see that the FAFSA opens up the first of January, but is it expected to have all 2014 tax information completed by then?</p>
<p>You should complete the FAFSA ASAP as possible after January 1 of your HS senior year. You will not have your taxes for 2014 done, but you should be able to use excellent estimates as the 2014 year will have ended. You will file the FAFSA using a “will file” status…meaning you will file your taxes but have not done so.</p>
<p>ASAP after February 1, you should complete your 2014 taxes…then go back into the FAFSA and amend to reflect the information from that tax return. Change your status to “taxes completed” and resubmit.</p>
<p>DO NOT wait until April to do your taxes!</p>
<p>Oh, wow, I definitely didn’t know that… I was hoping to be able to look at the financial aid offer from the college and accept in like October, since housing isn’t guaranteed. </p>
<p>It would be so much easier to be able to complete the FAFSA earlier, especially since our income is so low it’ll give as an auto 0 EFC for 2014 too. I guess I probably will still “accept” the admissions as soon as I can, but still… And our tax person never gets it done by April, he always gets an extension… I’ll have to let my parents know how vital is to get it filed early this year, then. </p>
<p>So would I get financial aid/Pell grant notification that spring?</p>
<p>This is not the year to get an extension to complete taxes! It is not. It is imperative that you complete your taxes as early as possible. </p>
<p>And complete your FAFSA as early as possible.</p>
<p>Well, I just talked to my parents, and they’re making sure our tax person (accountant? I guess) files in February instead of getting an extension like he usually does. And I will definitely complete FAFSA asap… I’m trying to get everything done early so I don’t get stressed out too much.</p>
<p>I think you are doing a terrific job of planning for college. Congratulations on being so proactive.</p>
<p>Excellent…and good for you for planning ahead! </p>
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<p>Yeah, not until spring. But this school will for sure give you full tuition right? And as pointed out, Pell and Direct loans and some work should cover housing and food and books and whatnot?</p>
<p>If this is a public school, they MAY not offer any aid beyond that.</p>
<p>Edited to add, for things like FSEOG and some state aid, getting your FAFSA done ASAP - even with estimates based on the previous year - can be key as they are awarded first-come first-serve.</p>
<p>@kelsmom and @thumper1 - thank you! </p>
<p>@OHMomof2 - yes, this school will automatically award me a full tuition scholarship, and an additional automatic scholarship that would cover my meal plan for all four years ($2000 per year). </p>
<p>While getting financial aid from them would be great, like you said, it is a public school and I’m not expecting it. But there are a good number of non-automatic scholarships I’m well-qualified for, and I’m likely to receive at least some. That, coupled with the Pell and some work-study/summer work should - according to my rough figures - cover everything without me having to take out any loans. </p>
<p>(And there are some local external scholarships I’m also applying to, but I’m not about to count them in addition to the other internal scholarships, as it’s pretty presumptuous I’d receive all or even most of them).</p>
<p>Double check that the school will stack any non-automatic scholarships on top of the tuition+meals. I think you said you are visiting soon and planning to ask about all that?</p>
<p>This is what I’ve gotten from their website - </p>
<p>A student can only receive one freshman scholarship (this is the category my full-tuition scholarship falls under) with the exception of Elite scholarships (competitive scholarships for 34+ ACT - I’m applying for these if I manage to up my ACT a couple points, but they’re very competitive). </p>
<p>On top of all that, said student can receive general and departmental (those additional scholarships I’m well-qualified for) provided that they do not exceed the college’s estimated cost of attendance (which includes tuition/fees, room/board, books/supplies, personal/transportation). It does NOT include any external scholarships.</p>
<p>Based on this, I assume the school will stack non-automatic scholarships onto the automatic scholarships, provided it doesn’t exceed the COA, not including external scholarships, which seems to put me in good shape (and, any financial aid I receive would be adjusted accordingly, so I probably wouldn’t see any).</p>
<p>Yes, I am visiting campus again in a month, this time for a private tour, so I’ll have loads of opportunities to ask about all this - just to clarify. I also need to know where they “stack” the Pell grant, if it’s considered with the internal, or external - though it probably wouldn’t make much a difference?</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>correction…5500 in loans.</p>