<p>I am applying ED to a college and will be requesting financial aid. Is there anything that I need to fill out or send in to let them know I will be looking for aid? The deadline is in five days and my parents are basically clueless about this whole thing, I'm just trying to pull everything together and I'm stressed and don't know much abut the actual app process and I'm in desperate need of some guidance :( </p>
<p>Go to the college website where you are applying and look up financial aid. There should be directions there for what you need to do. Usually financial aid forms are due the same time as your application. For example, your parents will probably need to fill out a FAFSA form. It should all be on the website. You can also call the college with any questions. Good luck.</p>
<p>FAFSA can’t be filled out until January 1, and most colleges don’t want last year’s version. But they do often ask for the CSS profile or their own financial aid forms. You should go to the website and see what is required and when for ED students. Also, you need to check the box on the application saying you are applying for aid (but you probably already knew that one). :)</p>
<p>Now… one of the pitfalls of applying ED is that you then can’t compare financial aid offers. And they can vary widely. For my D2, the amount of aid varied by over $10,000 for similarly priced schools. You won’t get a chance to compare across schools if you apply ED. It might make a lot more sense to apply RD to all of your schools, compare the aid packages, and THEN decide where to go.</p>
<p>Also, have you run the net price calculators for each college on your list? They are on the financial aid webpages as well, and give you an idea of your expected cost of attendance with a breakdown of loans, grants, etc. Not a perfect tool, but can help you know if a college is at all affordable for you.</p>
<p>While it’s true you won’t be able to compare financial aid offers, you do still have a way out of ED, only if you absolutely cannot pay for the college. Do not let the fear of being stuck with a college you cannot pay for deter you from ED. However, if you know that you will be comparing financial aid offers, even if the ED school gives you ample aid, then do not apply ED. </p>
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<p>You never get the chance to compare offers if you apply ED…</p>