<p>Hello:</p>
<p>This has probably been discussed many times over, but this topic is new to me.</p>
<p>At what point does the college start sending the financial aid package? For example, once we have received the notice of acceptance from the college, when does the financial aid award arrive? We have filed the FAFSA and will finalize it soon when we submit our taxes this week. </p>
<p>So, what happens next? Does our DS need to actually let the school know he will attend before they give a package notification?</p>
<p>It has been years since I went through this as a student, and this is our first child into college, so I do not remember the order of events.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I would suggest that you check the website of the colleges in question. If those don’t yield an answer, then give them a call. In our experience, most colleges send FA awards by April 1 so that the student has some time to look at them before he/she has to commit to a specific college by May 1. But – I’ve also heard of some awards coming out later.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re on top of things with your FAFSA already filed. Just make sure that each college doesn’t require any additional forms/information like the CSS Profile or and Institutional form – again check websites for requirements and call if you’re unsure.</p>
<p>No, he doesn’t have to accept his admissions offer in order to receive a FA package and, unless you’ve agreed that he can attend his top choice regardless of aid, it’s probably best to wait and compare offers. As mom said, the timing of awards varies by college but we have received them as early as late February based on an early January initial FAFSA and an early February final FAFSA.</p>
<p>When my daughter applied last year she received all of her financial aid packages in March.</p>
<p>They are all different from our experience with our two oldest…in all cases the finaid packages were finalized by late March/early April for the to-be freshman. In some cases we got “early determinations” with the caveat that we would receive final determinations once the final FAFSAs or Profiles were completed. Now that they are in college the determinations generally come in May or June for us but we still file our federal taxes ASAP. I imagine if you wait until April 15 it could be June or July after the freshman year.</p>
<p>Thanks for info! Very helpful.</p>
<p>We are still waiting for rest of colleges to send acceptance/rejection, then will determine what to do, but I wasn’t sure when we would be expected the financial aid package.</p>
<p>I don’t think our schools use CSS (UC and CSU) and we will finalize our taxes this week and get FAFSA updated. Sounds like it is just time to wait!</p>
<p>Does non-need (merit) aid notification arrive at around the same time?</p>
<p>I can’t see how decisions can be made without both pieces of information.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>*Does non-need (merit) aid notification arrive at around the same time?</p>
<p>I can’t see how decisions can be made without both pieces of information.</p>
<p>Thanks.*</p>
<p>Often merit awards are awarded at the same time or before. </p>
<p>I’ve been told that schools often do this…first they award merit, and then if there’s any need left over, then if possible, more aid (loans, ws, grants) are given…altho there may still be a gap.</p>
<p>The only times I can imagine that a merit award would come later is if someone declined an award, and the school re-awarded it later…or…if the school allows later test scores to be considered (not many schools do this, but a few do).</p>