<p>So my dad filled out the fafsa today but he said it was all based on 2012 tax returns. The problem is, this whole year of 2013 he hasn't been working for a company anymore so his income has significantly decreased/we've had a tougher financial situation this past year. I'm afraid my financial aid won't match to what we can actually afford what do I do is there somewhere I can explain current circumstances?</p>
<p>Edit: And I don't mean he just lost it, it's been like a year</p>
<p>Once the FAFSA is filed, you can ask your financial aid office for their Special Circumstance paperwork. They will have a way to reconsider your aid based you your family’s new financial situation.</p>
<p>For which school year are you filling out fafsa now? If you are starting or resuming college this coming spring, you would fill out the 2013-14 fafsa now. If you are starting in the fall of 2014, that fafsa isn’t available until Jan 1, 2014. The 2014-15 fafsa will ask for 2013 tax info.</p>
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which asks for 2012 tax info.</p>
<p>Oh **** annoyingdad I’m a senior applying for next Fall so did my dad the wrong fafsa? That makes sense omg thank you but I thought you fill out the fafsa now because you have to apply for financial aid?</p>
<p>Edit: Nvm I have to wait until January 1st, It’s confusing because I have always been told to do the fafsa as soon as possible…</p>
<p>Fafsa isn’t available until Jan. 1. Fill it out soon after with estimates for 2013 tax info and actual asset info as of the date you file. Then later, when taxes are done, but still as soon as possible and by each school’s deadline(look on the schools’ finaid websites), update it with the actual tax info.</p>
<p>For schools that use CSS profile or their own finaid forms in addition to fafsa, check each school’s website for what they want and when they want it. If a school wants them before the end of the year, it would have to be with the best estimates for 2013 income that you can come up with.</p>
<p>Make a spreadsheet with the schools, what they need and the deadlines.</p>
<p>Not only should you fill out FAFSA soon after January 1, but you should do it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after January 1 in order to beat later filers to aid at some schools. Also, you fill out FAFSA every year, not just your first year.</p>