<p>Hi, I've been looking around to find some answers for some time... I'm a transfer student in CA beginning to be admitted to universities in my state. My mom is disabled and was receiving SSI last year, and I've been pushing her to please get her taxes done so I can update my fafsa information for 2014-2015 year, but she still hasn't done them. I get mixed answers from her that she hasn't received all the forms she needs to report, that she's waiting for her friend to fly to our city to file them, etc... I'm not sure what to believe as we've never been on good standing terms, but I'm terribly worried that it might affect the financial aid packages I receive from universities within the next month or so. </p>
<p>As of January, I filed my fafsa very early using last year's estimated numbers, stating that my parent will file, and that they were receiving SSI payments. We normally make less than $12k a year, so I'm absolutely depending on receiving financial aid. I'm very nervous about all of it and would love to hear any information or personal experiences someone might have had dealing with this kind of situation. Any help is kindly appreciated. I will also be calling the admission offices of the schools I've been admitted to this week. Thanks in advance! </p>
<p>It really depends on each college’s policies. You will have to ask each of the financial aid offices. Some schools specifically say that if you do not meet certain deadlines, you don’t get certain funds. Others are not so specific and say that in order to get guaranteed levels of aid or the best aid, one has to meet the given deadlines. With some schools, there are no such stipulations. As a general rule, earlier is better simply because some funds are limited and once they are gone, that’s it. </p>
<p>I would call financial aid, not admissions. At most schools FA does the packages, not Admissions.</p>
<p>@cptofthehouse, Thanks for your input! I’m definitely going to be calling tomorrow morning to check what deadlines they might have. Whoops, I meant to say financial aid office, not admissions! I have a million thoughts jumbled in my head lol. </p>
<p>And at some schools…until your taxes are actually filed, any financial aid award you receive would be an ESTIMATE only. And YES, your aid can be reduced if your current taxes indicate this should be the case. </p>
<p>If you are expecting a decrease in aid, then the later update probably would not make much difference… However, if your family is making less than a year before and your update may give you a lower EFC, the grant money may run out before your update.</p>
<p>Do your colleges meet full need for all accepted students? If not, all this pondering may not matter much at all. </p>
<p>If your family income is really $12,000 a year, you would be eligible for a Pell Grant from the federal government of about $5600, and a Direct Loan of $5500. Those would be guaranteed based on your income. If your state has any need based aid for low income students, you would need to check the deadlines for THOSE programs (e.g. Calgrant in CA, or TAP in NY). </p>
<p>Hopefully you have targeted schools that will be affordable based on guaranteed awards, need based or merit.</p>