<p>So, what forms have to be filled out and when for financial aid? Is it school specific, or general? </p>
<p>Like, let's say I'm applying to college A and college B through the commonapp, do I fill out something on the commonapp, or something else, or what do I so? Help!!! </p>
<p>The common application is for college admissions, not financial aid. I think there is a question on it asking if you are applying for aid. Check yes if you are.</p>
<p>There is a pinned thread above about financial aid. Look at the threads in that. Lots of good info there.</p>
<p>Important!! You really must read every one of your college financial aid websites. The required submissions and the DEADLINES will be listed on each website, and they will vary.</p>
<p>The FAFSA is available for completion on January 1 of your senior year in high school so if you are graduating June 2015, the 2015-2016 FAFSA will be available on January 1. You want to complete and submit it ASAP after that date. You will be using your best estimates based in end of year pay stubs for income, taxes, etc. you will indicate “will file” for your tax status meaning you will file, but haven’t yet done so. ASAP after February 1, you need to complete your 2014 taxes. The go back into the FAFSA, and make any changes reflecting your actual tax returns, and change your status to “taxes completed” and resubmit.</p>
<p>Some schools require the CSS Profile. This is administered through the College Board. If you are applying regular decision, you can complete this after the first of the year… (Check those school deadlines…and don’t miss them).</p>
<p>If you are applying ED or EA, you might have an early priority filing date for financial aid. Some schools require the FAFSA by November. Again…check those deadline dates.</p>
<p>Some schools have their own financial aid application forms. Some require submission of tax returns. Look at each website and do what they ask…on time.</p>
<p>This is NOT the year for your parents to do their taxes in April. You really need to get them done ASAP after February 1. This will give the schools adequate time to process your aid…so,that you have aid packages when you make your matriculation decision by May 1.</p>
<p>The FAFSA will ask you to link to the IRS data retrieval tool. You do this when your taxes are completed. This enables the schools to check that what you entered on your FAFSA is actually correct.</p>
<p>And lastly…you need to monitor your student portal for any additional information. If you are selected for verification, you will need to send whatever the college wants…ASAP! And don’t dilly dally on this. Until this is done, you will receive NO aid at all.</p>
<p>First of all, why don’t you get some idea as to how much aid you are eligible to get, how much you will likely get by filling out some estimators. The FAFSA EFC estimator will give you an estimated EFC which is often the least amount you will have to pay before being eligible for financial aid. If that figure is more than your family is willing to pay, you need to start look at schools with sticker prices that are affordable to you and those that have merit money available to you. For specific colleges, run the NPCs. You need to know approximately what 2014 income is going to be and how much in assets your family has, FOr PROFILE school, an estimated net home value will often be needed. </p>
<p>Unless you are applying early and need to fill out an estimated PROFILE, you fill out FAFSA after 1/1/2015 for aid because that is when the form is released. Not all schools require PROFILE but those that do will also want that IN ADDITION to the FAFSA. The financial aid process is usually separate from admissions. But you want to make sure you apply to schools that have the possibility of being affordable. Regardless, you want to have schools on your list that you KNOW will be affordable and will take you.</p>