As important as it is to meet college application deadlines, it is just as important to meet the requirements and deadlines for financial aid. This article entitled, "Looking Ahead: Student Debt and the College Admission Process" offers an excellent overview on financial aid today for families at all stages in the college admission process. If you are thinking about college, then it is not to soon to be thinking about financial aid.
http://www.nacacnet.org/PublicationsResources/steps/Articles/Pages/StudentDebt.aspx
High school seniors, do NOT wait for an acceptance letter before you begin the financial aid process.
There are two financial aid applications: FAFSA and the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For all schools, you will need to complete the FAFSA online as soon after January 1 as possible. Several hundred colleges and universities require that students submit the CSS/Profile in addition to the FAFSA in order to be considered for financial aid. The CSS/Profile is primarily used by private schools, but there are exceptions. For example, the University of Michigan requires both the FAFSA and CSS/Profile.
Go to collegeboard.com for more information about the 2011-12 CSS/Profile, which is now available.
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