<p>I feel like a noob asking this but, where do you start with Financial aid?
I know FAFSA, some profile thing and colleges have their own forms?
Ver confused.
Where do I start?
And I read on one of the posts that a "CEB profilling" (I forget what it's called) was due JAN 1. If that is so, I will not be attending college.
I've also heard that you turn in Financial Aid stuff after a colleges accepts you. I'm really confused.</p>
<p>You will want to look at each school's financial aid website and see what they require and what their individual deadlines are. Start by completing the FAFSA and then do whatever else the schools require.</p>
<p>Submit the Profile (the CSS form) ASAP to the schools with a Jan. 1 deadline. Submit the FAFSA ASAP. Both forms should be filled out with estimated 2007 numbers, and updated once you've done your taxes.</p>
<p>Whoever told you that you don't apply for FA until you've been accepted is WRONG! There's no way they could accept a class in early April, get all the forms and create financial aid packages for the acceptees and have those out to the acceptees in time for the kids to make their decisions by May 1. Schools generally have January, February or March deadlines for all FA forms, and the estimated FA packages come with or soon after the acceptances.</p>
<p>As NikkiiL said, check with the college FA websites for each school's specific deadlines and forms.</p>
<p>It is not too late (except maybe a few schools who want to offer early decisions and include a financial aid offer with their decision) .....Even if your FASFA and CSS were completed today they would be estimates. You MIGHT need to correct them later if they differ from either the students and/or parents tax filing by April. </p>
<p>HOWEVER.....earlier is better. The money in the financial aid offices will run out. Yet understand lateness...Even the FASFA web site states
[quote]
Federal Student Financial Aid Deadlines
The 2007-2008 School Year (July 1st, 2007 - June 30th, 2008):
FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted by midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2008.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>AND many schools and state programs, use the word "for priority consideration"...which might indicate, that late consideration for financial aid is possible.</p>
<p>It is VERY important that you keep CAREFUL records of the financial aid deadlines for each school that you are applying too... How hearbreaking to be acceped with no financial aid or insufficient aid...it's painful enough when the school does it to you ...but even worse when you yourself made a mistake.</p>
<p>Also kyobo
NikkiiL is right....the school's financial aid web site should tell you whether you need which(or all) of these forms, and you need to get started on them soon.
[ol]
[<em>]The FASFA
[</em>]The CSS Profile
[li]Any College specific financial aid forms[/li][/ol]</p>
<p>Some parents will willingly go on line and begin filling out these forms on behalf of their children (you must sign because you are responsible).
I know some students (I hope not you) who have difficulty encouraging their parents to participate....never the less...do what you need to do to obtain at least an estimate of their tax information and file your estimated FASFA.</p>
<p>It seems overwhelming...but just need to do it once (per year :-), then you just list each schools "number" and they receive the information from the government. </p>
<p>If this all seems overwhelming...find help. But hang in there, by junior/senior year of college...YOU'LL BE A PRO on this stuff !</p>