<p>It's all so confusing to me..
I'm a sophomore in high school, and some would say that I'm much too young to be worrying about it. I can't help it; I believe if I worry about it now, I won't be too stressed out later.
I'm graduating in 2013. When should I start with FAFSA and such?</p>
<p>You can start doing the FAFSA starting January 1st of the year you are starting college. So you have another 2 years to worry about before you worry about fafsa.</p>
<p>okay, thank you.</p>
<p>My friend just completed it in like less than an hour. They tell you which line to look at in the forms. Doesn’t seem to difficult, but if you have problems, you have two months to ask for help. Also, high schools have workshops for FAFSA. Starting mines soon ^^</p>
<p>Instead of worrying about FAFSA sit down with your parents and fill out the FAFSA4caster to see where you stand. It will be helpful and should take much of the edge off of your worrying (not the best use of energy).</p>
<p>I agree bchan1 … in addition to running the FAFSA3caster I’d suggest starting a conversation with your parents about how much they are planning to help pay for college. Will they help beyond any financial aid you might receive … will they pay for one of your state schools? Will they pay for a private school? Tha answers to these questions will greatly shape your college list when you’re a senior … and none of these converations need to happen before your senior/junior year.</p>
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<p>I would disagree with this part. If you’re already looking into colleges, the financial convo with parents should happen now. That way, you’ll know if you must find schools that will award you large merit aid and will have time to prep very well for your SAT/ACT, and retake them several times if needed! If your parents are like most, they will also benefit from the extra year to pay down their other bills and figure out what the financial aid process is so they can assist you in finding a school that meets your needs without breaking the bank!</p>
<p>Start reading on how the process works and you’ll be less frightened. I like “How to pay for college without going broke” but there are other titles. </p>
<p>Many high schools and local colleges will have a financial aid night – ask a parent to go with you. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that local scholarships (Rotary, Garden Club, etc) can add up for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>Also look at resource sites like finaid.org for more background about how aid works and some tips. And, remember that some schools also require the CSS Profile. (You can pull a worksheet off their web site.)
So glad someone is starting this finaid research early.</p>
<p>Okay, thank you so much for your answers.
(:</p>
<p>Too early for fafsa4caster. Your income will change.</p>
<p>FAFSA is much easier than college applications or the SATs, so don’t sweat it. 
I’ve done it five times now. It’s something that is hard for some people, who can’t fill in forms, but that is amazingly simple (just a few pages online) if you’re used to filling those in. If you can add, you can do the FAFSA.</p>
<p>If it’s funding you’re worried about, take a deep breath and repeat after me: “Millions have done it and so will I.” You will make it happen. Work + scholarships + grants + loans + RAhand-me-downs, Craigslist and Goodwill + Not choosing a college that is really vastly beyond your means = manageable debt afterward that you can pay without sacrificing your quality of life.</p>
<p>Millions (tens of millions, even) have done this. You can, too. And you’re starting early so you have time.</p>