I’ve met families who mistakenly believed that the time to apply for financial aid was after their student had been admitted to college. It’s not a pleasant discovery when they find out that they’ve long since missed the need-based aid boat.
Parents, if you have a student who is applying to begin college in the fall of 2016, please visit the “financial aid” sections on the websites for each of your student’s college choices. Find out what forms need to be submitted, and by when. The FAFSA, the starting point for all need-based aid, should be submitted as early as possible after January 1, 2016. But the colleges may have other forms that need to be completed, too.
Don’t wait for a college, counselor, friend, or neighbor to sound the deadline bell. As much anxiety as the idea of paying for college may bring, I promise that you’ll experience significant relief when you know what’s ahead, not to mention what’s behind you.