<p>I am just looking ahead and want to be prepared. I am attending college fall 2010 and need to know when is the earliest I can file for FAFSA? I only see applications for 2009-2010 school year right now. THANKS!</p>
<p>jan 1st 
i think that’s when they put it up… can’t remember since it was a while ago, but for sure you can start in january</p>
<p>January 1st is correct. So on New Year’s Eve, skip all the partying and gather together as much financial info as you can. Then when midnight strikes you can celebrate by filling out a long and boring financial aid form. ;)</p>
<p>Just remember…you are not filing “for” the FAFSA. FAFSA doesn’t give out the money. It is a form which collects financial information largely for the awarding of need based federally funded financial aid. Some colleges also use that same information to award institutional need based aid. BUT FAFSA doesn’t dole out the money.</p>
<p>So when you apply early to any college, and get in before January 1st, you will have no idea how much need-based scholarships they will give you?</p>
<p>That depends…some school have very good calculators, give estimated aid figures based on info you provide, or have crystal clear need based aid policies (ie. those that guarantee to meet need). If you have an estimate of your EFC and know what type of need based aid you qualify for it’s also fairly simple to come up with good estimates of federal/state aid as well.</p>
<p>Some of the schools with ED require the Profile which can be filed in October. Those schools use THAT to determine need based aid.</p>