Questions about the CSS and FAFSA.

<p>Can a student fill out the PROFILE and FAFSA on their own like their parents stuff as well. Say, if the parents handed over the W-2 forms from last year and etc whatever else is needed, could a student do it?</p>

<p>I'm thinking of asking someone like my uncle or aunts to help me with this because my parents aren't that educated on these kinds of things...and I told them to fill out the CSS and FAFSA (well their parts) and they're like "can't you help us?" So yeah...they're basically putting it off for as long as possible and that frustrates me.</p>

<p>Also, should I submit the CSS and FAFSA that early? My nearest deadline is for Colgate which is the 15th, and then all the others are much later than that. Well, at least they're not until February. So should I just file it all at the same time??</p>

<p>I feel very overwhelmed...by the whole financial aid thing as I'm sure everyone else is. Any help is appreciated! =)</p>

<p>I am just like you. My parents don't know any English. I have to fill out the forms myself. I would advise you to submit your CSS and FAFSA as soon as possible.</p>

<p>If your stuff is ready, send it in. The sooner your get it done, you can rest assured that you made the deadline (personally I don't not recommend kissing the deadline when comes to FA as some FA offices can be very unyeilding and won't consider your application if late).</p>

<p>In addition, if you can file the FAFSA on-line (I think you can only do the profile on line).</p>

<p>Yeah my parents don't speak english. So I fill it out in their name. Its not that bad, get your tax returns and any financial document you might have and fill out those worksheets.</p>

<p>Get it done ASAP. Easier on you. Easier on them.</p>

<p>Here's a pointer to all the info you'll need to have available before you start filling out the FAFSA: FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
In that page, the "you" it's talking about is you the student.</p>

<p>It sounds formidable, but you can manage it. Besides your parents' W-2's, you'll need to figure out numbers like their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which is the total income after a few deductions are made. It will be easier for you if they also give you a copy of their 2006 tax returns, so you'll understand how things like the AGI are computed and you can figure it out for the 2007 tax year, which is the year FAFSA wants to know about. The reason bank statements are on the list of necessary documents is that you have to give info about assets (like savings accounts) owned by you or your parents.</p>

<p>It's a very good idea to get your uncle/aunt to look over the forms with you. Small mistakes could lead to less financial aid.</p>

<p>One of your parents will have to sign the FAFSA, either electronically or on a paper form. Electronic signatures are easier if you're filling out the FAFSA online anyway, but it's okay for a parent to use a separate paper signature page even if the rest of the FAFSA is submitted online.</p>