I let my parents handle fin aid and filing the FAFSA but I don’t know exactly what they did and if they did it correctly. What exactly do I need to do to ask for financial aid? Do I need to submit the fafsa to each school based on a unique school code? And if so, is that all I need to do? What are the deadlines for this?
Thanks
Yes, the FAFSA needs to be sent to each school you are applying to. Each school will have a code that you enter in order to have the FAFSA sent there.
That may or may not be all you need to do. You need to look at each school you are applying to. Some schools only require the FAFSA. Some schools automatically consider all applicants for scholarships. Some schools require a separate scholarship application. Some schools require you to submit the CSS Profile (a financial aid application by College Board, which requires a fee). Some schools have their own, separate financial aid application.
The deadlines vary - you need to look at each school you are applying to for their deadlines.
When my children were applying to college, we created a spreadsheet in Excel to keep track of the various deadlines and requirements.
The financial aid requirements may or may not be in the same area on the school’s website as their admissions requirements. If you don’t see it there, look specifically under “Financial Aid.”
Good luck!