Senior families, please commit to the very important January to-do: Complete and submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible.
Every family who plans on sending a student to college this fall should fill this out. Do not make assumptions about your eligibility. Do not make excuses that you won’t qualify or that you’ve heard that applying for financial aid can hurt your chances. There’s a reason why every knowledgeable admissions and financial expert advises that families take this important step—it’s the smart thing to do.
The form just went live on January 1, so you’ll be a responsible early starter if you get going now. But more importantly, many states administer aid on a first come, first served basis. The surest way to miss out is to apply late (or to not apply at all).