<p>I'm reading online that I should submit it earlier. It is the 5th now, and I heard people already started to submit on Jan 1. Should I submit this early with estimates or should I wait until the parents file the taxes, which should be a few weeks later?</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat. I started mine today and will probably use estimates. It’s first come first serve so doing it asap helps. I don’t know what colleges you’re applying to but many have aid deadlines in February and March.</p>
<p>Submit it now, with estimates, and then update it once your parents’ taxes are filed.</p>
<p>Will it make much of a difference if I wait 2 more days to do it? My parents aren’t home right now, and are returning in 2 days. I need to confirm some stuff with them first. What do we gain from submitting early anyways?</p>
<p>2 days is fine. A week is fine. Just don’t wait until the end of January if you can do it sooner.</p>
<p>The reason to submit sooner rather than later is that some funds are in limited supply . . . so it’s better to be first in line than last in line. Loans will always be available, as will certain grants, but there are other grants that have limited funding. Better safe than sorry!</p>