When is a student supposed to file their FAFSA and other financial aid forms?  This is a question families are asking all across the country right now.  Their admission applications are pretty well done.  Now it’s on to the financial paperwork… but hold on a minute.  Many parents and students are jumping the gun.

The CSS Profile has been available to file for the coming school year since October.  This gives families plenty of time to complete what is arguably the most complex of all financial aid forms.  Only about 350 colleges want the Profile filed, so the large majority of families have nothing to do with this form.  But you better be sure and double check with the schools to which you have applied to make certain you haven’t overlooked it.

The 2010-11 FAFSA will not be available until January 2010 however, and this creates some confusion.  In their zeal to get on top of all the details, many students and families have completed the already available 2009-10 FAFSA thinking they were completing the right paperwork for the next college year.  I hate to tell you this, but you just wasted a good chunk of time and energy on a form that is useless to you.

If you are one of the unfortunate students or families that were confused by the FAFSA forms, you will have to wait until January 2010 and redo the new FAFSA.  There is no way for the schools to hold over or transfer your information.  A new FAFSA must be completed.

The good news is you will be much better prepared to complete the FAFSA than your neighbors will.

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