<p>I am a member of the 2013 class, and I'll be applying for colleges this coming fall. Could my parents and I fill out my fasfa over the summer, or do we need to wait until a certain date, etc?</p>
<p>When can I expect the form in the mail with the various financial information from the universities I request as well?</p>
<p>You cannot file your FAFSA or even complete the one you need to submit until 1/1/2013. That’s when it is released, and it is on line. I don’t know any universities that will send you the form via mail, but will give you the website link. It’s come to that, these days. The FAFSA requests information on all income in 2012, so that is why it cannot be filed sooner. Only once the door is shut on the year, can one be sure no more income is forthcoming. It should dovetail with the 2012 federal tax forms. </p>
<p>You can, however, fill out some samples and run the numbers of print out a hard copy of the 2011 one and fill it out to familiarize yourself with it.</p>
<p>Right, thanks. And when I was referring to the mailed information, I was talking about the break down of the schools you provide and the financial aid they’re each willing to offer you. I’m not sure it’s through the FASFA though.</p>
<p>Financial aid opportunities vary from school to school. Some have automatic merit awards based on grades and test scores (every student accepted with those grades and scores get the scholarship). Others have limited scholarships available and students must apply for them. Some schools have financial aid based solely on financial need. Some have a combination of the two.</p>
<p>You need to look at the websites for each school that you are considering and read what their financial aid offerings and requirements are.</p>
<p>Some schools will give you your financial aid award letter with your acceptances and some will give them as late as the spring of senior year. It’s done individually by each school according to its own process.</p>
<p>You will be able to complete the FAFSA after January 1, 2013. I recommend you complete it anytime after that date but by February 1 to meet priority filing dates. I just published a series of articles on the FAFSA and related financial aid application process which you may helpful. The info is located at [Financial</a> Aid Application Process](<a href=“http://www.financialaidsense.com/financial-aid-articles/financial-aid-application-process/]Financial”>http://www.financialaidsense.com/financial-aid-articles/financial-aid-application-process/)</p>