<p>Do we have to wait until December to apply for financial aid for next year? One of my friends told me that, and I wanted to find out if it was true. I'm assuming the new form isn't released until then?</p>
<p>For the FAFSA, it's after Jan. 1. For the CSS FAP it's now.</p>
<p>What's the CSS FAP? I don't understand how I'm supposed to apply for financial aid if the form needed isn't available until January. I'm sending my applications in now, not in two months.</p>
<p>You need to check to see if your schools require the CSS Profile (College Board) and/or the FAFSA.</p>
<p>The FAFSA should be filled out after January 1, 2007. The CSS Profile should be filled out right now, if any of your schools require it. There is also a fee ($18) for each school, when filling out the CSS Profile.</p>
<p>If a college requires both, you need to do both of them...or they will not estimate aid, or disburse it.</p>
<p>Check your deadlines for each school on their finaid website. The only ones who MUST complete the CSS Profile now are those applying ED, EA or who must meet a priority filing deadline with the college. Otherwise, you can wait until after the first of the year. BUT CHECK THE DEADLINES. They vary wildly from school to school. If the school says to file the Profile NOW, then do it. If their deadline is later, you can wait...but you should do it as soon as possible after Jan 30 (assuming the deadline is after that). This is NOT the year to wait to file your tax returns until April 15.</p>