<p>I'm currently a junior and I'm an asian american (vietnamese if you wanna be exact). Should I start applying for financial aid/scholarships this summer and how can I get started. Thank in advance for the help. </p>
<p>Stay Safe and God Bless</p>
<p>Hi!</p>
<p>Much of your best scholarship opportunities will come from schools that are known to give good scholarships. </p>
<p>Private scholarships are often small, hard to get, and one time only.</p>
<p>Financial aid is applied for after you apply to your schools, depending on their deadlines and what they want…FAFSA, CSS Profile, their own forms, etc.</p>
<p>If you need scholarships, now is the time to research and find out which schools offer scholarships for your stats.</p>
<p>What are your stats (GPA, ACT, SAT (including SAT breakdown)? What is your likely major? What is your home state?</p>
<p>If your SAT and/or ACT are not high enough, you have time to retake them. Take both; some kids do better on one test than the other.</p>
<p>Each school will tell on (on their website) what form/s they want completed for scholarships and/or financial aid. If you have schools in mind, start looking NOW to get yourself organized. You’re VERY smart to do this…you have NO IDEA how many people are right now out there working on 2010 admission and didn’t meet their deadlines. </p>
<p>Just as the requirements vary by college, so do the deadlines. If you apply early decision/acceptance…you’ll have different rules. You might have to file College Board’s CSS Profile in the Fall, estimated your 2010 figures. Or the school might have it’s OWN application. They might also have their OWn application even for regular decision (I know Princeton did). </p>
<p>But MOST colleges will require you complete FAFSA, which CANNOT be done until 1/1/2011. But be as organized as you can by then, so you can get a quick start. Have your and your parents 2009 tax returns available, and estimates for 2010. Even better, file your 2010 as early as possible, deadlines come FAST for some schools. </p>
<p>Then many schools also require College Board CSS PRofile. This you CAN do in the Fall. I myself waited until I had my taxes done, but most cannot get it done in time…AND it depends on your school’s deadline…I’ve seen January 1st deadlines so you’d have to use estimated figures…since you can’t possibly have your taxes done by January 1.</p>
<p>So…no, you really can’t file for financial aid in the summer. Once you have schools selected, research what forms they require, and their deadlines. They’ll PROBABLY be close to those dates for next year (but don’t count on it). Maybe make a spreadsheet. When is application due, when is FAFSA due, what other forms do they require, when are they due. </p>
<p>lMake sure your parents are aware of all this, so they can get their taxes done in time, and help fill out the forms, or fill them out for you.</p>
<p>As for scholarships…some schools require you fill out FAFSA to be eligible, some require additional forms, then scholarships not offered by the school all have their own deadelines. I don’t think MANY allow summer applications, but some DO accept applications from Juniors. That’s all for you to be found by research. There is no broad answer. Some of them aren’t even being ACCEPTED yet for 2010 (I know my D is waiting on one that just “opens” this week). </p>
<p>Luck. And good job being proactive.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys. Stay Safe and God Bless</p>