<p>i'm filling out the css, and it asks you all these questions about what you think you'll make this summer and next year. i have no idea! i don't know what jobs i'll be getting, for the summer or at college. what should i put? 0?</p>
<p>also, when it asks you about outside scholarships, i don't know what to put. i'm looking into them, but i haven't applied yet. how can you possibly know whether you've been awarded stuff, and how much, etc., even if you have applied?</p>
<p>aargh, this fin aid stuff is ridiculous! maybe i'll just go to the bank and take out mucho loans--it's easier than having to explain to my mom that i don't know if she has 1 day to file the fafsa after getting w2s...i have no idea about anything! </p>
<p>Put 0 for your expected student income, if you really have no clue. It's just a guess-- best to guess in your favor rather than the other way around.</p>
<p>Put nothing down for outside scholarships, if you haven't received any.</p>
<p>Estimate what you have to in order to meet the deadlines.</p>
<p>I'd estimate something reasonable for summer earnings, like $2000. You could make that in a summer easy, just mowing lawns or baby-sitting. How is it going to look if you are asking for aid, but unwilling to even think about a summer job?</p>
<p>many schools expect students to earn $3,000 to $5,000 summers and for it to be available for school. This money will be added to your families EFC, which may be why some students are so flabbergasted when they see their EFC, because they didn't take their earnings into consideration.
If your family is quite low income and your earnings are necessary to support them, the schools may consider that when writing your finaid package</p>