Applying For Financial Aid

Next fall, my son will be going to college, and he will need some financial aid. Right now, he is quite upset with me because I haven't completed my part of the form for federal aid. It's going to take quite a while to figure out the income-tax information the form requires. What's the rush? He hasn't even decided definitely where he will go to college. - Being Pushed
Answer: Early applicants tend to get the most financial aid. Students applying for aid for next fall began submitting the federal-aid form (FAFSA) on Jan. 1. It is the first step in applying for aid.
If you wait until your son has decided on a college, most of the grants and scholarships could already have been awarded. Plus, he may have missed the application deadlines for state and college aid, which typically require completion of the federal-aid form. Most states have a March 1 deadline for the submission of aid applications.
Don't delay completing the FAFSA because you don't have all your current income-tax information or haven't the time to complete the form. You can make an estimate. Use last year's numbers if this year's will be similar. The Student Aid Report that your son receives will tell you how to send in new tax information when you have it.
All the information that you are likely to need about how to fill out FAFSA and check the status of a financial aid application is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.You can file a paper FAFSA or file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Filing online is fast and has the added advantage of ensuring the form is completed correctly, as incorrect forms are not accepted.
If you still encounter problems in completing the FAFSA form, you can talk to a financial-aid officer at a college where your son is applying or e-mail or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID.