| When is a student supposed to file their FAFSA and | | | | 2010 however, and this creates some confusion. In |
| other financial aid forms? This is a question families | | | | their zeal to get on top of all the details, many |
| are asking all across the country right now. Their | | | | students and families have completed the already |
| admission applications are pretty well done. Now it's | | | | available 2009-10 FAFSA thinking they were |
| on to the financial paperwork... but hold on a minute. | | | | completing the right paperwork for the next college |
| Many parents and students are jumping the gun. | | | | year. I hate to tell you this, but you just wasted a |
| The CSS Profile has been available to file for the | | | | good chunk of time and energy on a form that is |
| coming school year since October. This gives families | | | | useless to you. |
| plenty of time to complete what is arguably the | | | | If you are one of the unfortunate students or |
| most complex of all financial aid forms. Only about | | | | families that were confused by the FAFSA forms, |
| 350 colleges want the Profile filed, so the large | | | | you will have to wait until January 2010 and redo the |
| majority of families have nothing to do with this | | | | new FAFSA. There is no way for the schools to hold |
| form. But you better be sure and double check with | | | | over or transfer your information. A new FAFSA |
| the schools to which you have applied to make | | | | must be completed. |
| certain you haven't overlooked it. | | | | The good news is you will be much better prepared |
| The 2010-11 FAFSA will not be available until January | | | | to complete the FAFSA than your neighbors will. |