<p>Im a senior in High School and i plan to attend college next fall. I just dont know much about the whole financial aid and scholarship program and my parents are not able to help due to their own disability issues. When do i start filling out aid forms?
Thanks
Matt</p>
<p>You need to look at the financial aid websites of any schools you are applying to. You need to know which form(s) are needed and what each school’s deadlines are. Virtually all schools require fafsa which can’t be submitted until 1/1/15.</p>
<p>What state are you in? States differ on how well they support covering costs. State schools usually just require the FAFSA which you will file after Jan 1. If you are applying to private schools they will want an extra form, often the CSS profile and you have to file that with estimated 2014 figures much sooner, like next couple of months… Be sure to read all the info on the financial aid pages. It will tell you about financial aid and scholarships at that school. There will be an admissions timeline page with everything you need to submit. Also, you should read the Financial aid FAQ post to get a background. It is a lot of info but will help you to understand how it works.</p>
<p>Run the Net Price Calculator on the web sites of your schools to see how much each will cost. Then talk to your parents.</p>
<p>For merit aids, check out each school you are going to apply. Some may not require separated application but just apply early. For FAFSA, it is not available until 1/1/2015. You should start to collect tax and asset information and be ready to file as soon as possible. Also, after your parents submitted tax return, go back to verify your entry by DRT. Each school may also have their own deadline for FAFSA (typically in March) but I would suggest to submit it as soon as possible since certain funding may be limited and given away as first come first serve.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the answers everyone. Ya’ll have all been very helpful. I live in Texas (As you may be able to tell). I will go ahead and get the info ready and be ready to submit the form starting 1/1/2015 like ya’ll have said. Thanks!</p>
<p>
You also should ask your parent(s) to file the 2014 tax returns as soon as possible.</p>
<p>“You also should ask your parent(s) to file the 2014 tax returns as soon as possible.”</p>
<p>Why? Excuse my ignorance this is all so new to me. Will that make my fafsa form more complete?</p>
<p>It just makes the verification process a little smoother for you. Some parents are self-employed and they get extensions on their taxes until October. For those who wait to do their taxes, it places your financial aid disbursement on hold until your school receives your parents’ tax transcript/whatever else they are requesting. </p>
<p>Oh ok. That makes a lot of sense. I will make sure to prompt them to get that finished asap. See those little bits of information are so hard to come by. Thanks so much for the info! </p>
<p>A week or two after filing tax return, it should be ready for verification by DRT. The earlier you finish the verification may get you the final FA package sooner. The initial FAFSA submission date is important too as it may determine the priority in financial aid.</p>
<p>I forgot to give you the link, read through this it is very helpful
<a href=“Financial aid FAQs - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Financial aid FAQs - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Thanks for the Link its great!</p>