<p>I have been sending applications out to various schools, all of which I would need some fin.aid to attend. My guidance department has yet to inform us of financial aid application protocol. Am I following proper procedure by sending out applications for admission only? Will I send all financial aid information later? I definitely cannot "miss the boat" applying for aid, but many school sites say "all financial aid applications must be submitted by March..." Does this mean that they will evaluate me for acceptance, and then later develop a finaid package?</p>
<p>Can anyone enlighten me on the process a bit?</p>
<p>Go to the website of each college you're applying to. Go the the Financial Aid page. Check their requirements. Many will require you to fill out the FAFSA. That form is at FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If the FA application is due by March (I'm assuming no early decision/early action applications), you will begin filling out the form in January, when then 2008-09 form becomes available. You will fill it out with estimated numbers for 2007, submit the form, and then update it when you actually do your taxes.</p>
<p>Some schools have their own financial aid forms instead of or in addition to the FAFSA and Profile. Read the websites carefully to find those requirements.</p>
<p>Some schools will also want copies of your 2006 and 2007 (when completed) tax returns.</p>
<p>When you receive an acceptance, you should also receive an estimated financial aid package. That package will be adjusted or not based on your final tax information and updated forms.</p>
<p>Your high school guidance counselor has nothing to do with this. It is up to you to find, fill out and submit the proper forms.</p>
<p>If you have questions about what a particular school requires, contact that school's financial aid office directly.</p>
<p>In addition to completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile, for about $10 pick up a copy of the book: 'What To Do For College When' 2007-2008 edition, by Fiske.</p>
<p>Go to your local library and get a listing of local scholarships and apply to all those whose profile you fit. Visiting the college guidance page on the website of both your high school and others will also help you discover local scholarships.</p>
<p>Read the thread about filing out financial aid forms that's pinned to the top of this forum. There also are other useful posts pinned atop this forum.</p>
<p>Also throughly read the websites of each college that youre interested in to make sure that you're following their proper financial aid and admissions procedures. It's not your GC's job to inform you of the various requirements of the colleges you're applying to.</p>
<p>Also buy an annual college guide like the one by U.S. News, which will give you a year by year, month by month go-by about what you need to do to apply to college and get aid. Such guides are available at many bookstores, newsstands, libraries and GC's offices.</p>