Parents, it’s time to build a college funding plan. True, the official financial aid forms might not be open for filing until October 1 — but if you wait until then, you’re already behind!
You probably know (or could have guessed) that procrastinating on filing for financial aid can have negative consequences. But have you considered the stakes? We have, and we crunched the numbers, too. Given the sheer costs of college tuition today, missing key aid opportunities (like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA) can cost families thousands of dollars in gift aid or subsidized loans. It’s nothing to sneeze at; if you’re counting on external help to pay for your student’s tuition, you likely can’t afford to delay.
Thankfully, it’s not too late yet. So, what can you do to get started now? Proactive parents and guardians of college-bound students can start collecting materials long before forms open for the next academic year. Even if you think your family won’t qualify for need-based aid, there are still solid reasons to file this info on time. Whatever you do, just don’t ignore it all until the last second — knowledge is your friend. Early preparation can significantly increase your child’s chances of receiving aid (and make the process less stressful).
Most of all, by previewing what’s coming, you’ll have a better idea of what’s expected of you. If you plan to apply for any kind of scholarships, or federal, state, or institutional financial aid, then preparing well for these upcoming forms is critical.
Here’s a suggested timeline to get a head start on your financial aid forms. We’ll guide you through the steps you need to take to stay on top of your financial aid game, from start to finish!
Overview: a quick financial aid timeline for parents
Before we dive into the details, let’s take a quick look at what kind of timeline we’re discussing. For parents and families of high school students, your main workload will begin in their senior year (12th grade).
These are the broad strokes:
- Summer before senior year: Learn key terms, gather documents, create FSA ID
- September: Finalize college list and financial documents
- October 1: FAFSA and CSS Profile open — file early!
- October – March: Watch for school-specific aid requests
- March – May: Compare aid offers, appeal if needed
- By May 1: Decision and enrollment
Throughout the whole process, you’ll want to save your login credentials in a safe place and set yourself up for an easy renewal next year.
Now, let’s break it down even further.
Before FAFSA opens
Even before the official FAFSA form opens for the year on October 1, you can get started with the following preparation steps.
Our quick tip? Make a private digital folder (like Google Drive or Dropbox) shared with your student to keep documents in one place.
Learn about the financial aid landscape
While there is certainly a lot of information to digest (and we can’t give legal advice), learning about the most important elements of college financial aid will help you figure out what you’re getting in for. Reading about the process through credible sources (like this one) is a great place to start!
There’s one omnipresent myth that we’d like to dispel right off the bat. Have you ever thought (or heard someone else say), “Well, that’s a waste of time because we make too much to qualify for financial aid.”
Here’s the truth: Many families qualify for institutional aid, unsubsidized loans, or merit scholarships that require FAFSA completion, even if they aren’t eligible for Pell Grants. Some schools won’t offer any aid without this form on file.
Now that we’re on the same page, let’s get the scoop! Here are some of the core concepts you’ll need to reference throughout this process.
Need-based vs. merit-based financial aid
Need-based aid is awarded based on demonstrated financial need (no surprise there). In other words, it’s funding set aside to help cover the gap between what you can afford and the total cost. Most organizations use their own methodology to determine a student’s need, using information you submit. If you are an emancipated minor, from a low SES background, or your family has experienced financial difficulties in the last few years, you may be eligible for this type of financial aid.
Merit-based aid is awarded based on your talents and accomplishments! Some require extensive applications (including portfolios or interviews) while others only require a checkbox. You may be surprised by how many merit-based scholarships your student may qualify for when you start searching.
FAFSA vs. CSS Profile
Naturally, now is a great time to familiarize yourself with the FAFSA, the primary application for federal, state, and many institutional aid programs. Additionally, research if any colleges on your child’s list require additional forms like the CSS Profile, which is used by some private colleges to award their own institutional aid.
For more on the differences between these two forms, check out this article about the FAFSA vs. CSS Profile today.
Subsidized vs. unsubsidized loans
Subsidized loans are for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need based on the FAFSA. The federal government pays the interest on the loan while your child is in school at least half-time, during the six-month grace period after they leave school, and during any periods of deferment. This makes subsidized loans the most affordable borrowing option.
On the other hand, unsubsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need. However, you and your child are responsible for all the interest that accrues. That means that interest begins to accumulate as soon as the loan is disbursed to the school, even while your child is still in college, and the loan balance will grow while they are in school.
Grants and scholarships
This group is often referred to as “gift aid” because, unlike loans, they are free money that does not need to be repaid. Grants and scholarships are the foundation of a good financial aid package.
Gather financial documents in advance
Avoid searching for an elusive total in the midst of filing and holding up the process with a single missing number. Now is also the time to start collecting the essential documents you’ll need to file these forms.
So, what should you look for?
To file for financial aid, you’re going to need:
- Your federal tax returns (from the “base year”, usually two years prior to the academic year).
- W-2 forms and other records of income (for independent contractors, the 1099).
- Bank and investment statements (including retirement savings) from all financial institutions.
- Financial assessments of any business(es) you own or co-own.
- Records of untaxed income, such as child support or gifts received.
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) and driver’s license number (if you have one).
Pro tip: if you file your taxes digitally, use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) when available — it can save time, headaches, and reduce mistakes. (Win-win, right?)
Create your FSA ID early
You don’t need to wait for this. You can go to StudentAid.gov right now to set up accounts. Both the student and one parent (if the student is dependent) will need a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to access the FAFSA online and sign it electronically.
Why set it up now? We always recommend families create these accounts in advance to allow for authentication, because that alone can take 1-3 days. Now imagine mismatched email addresses or a locked account. In addition to a little extra prep time, you can help yourself by keeping your login credentials in a secure but accessible place (you’ll use the same one every year your student applies for aid).
When FAFSA opens
There are two things you need to do when October 1st rolls around: 1) coordinate with your student, and 2) file as early as possible.
Here’s our two cents: try to file on a weekend morning when you and your teen can sit down without distractions.
Coordinate with your student
First, talk to your student and get on the same page. Schedule some time you can both sit down to start filling out your forms. If your child is a dependent, they’ll need to contribute their information to the FAFSA as well, so go ahead and make it fun (“FAFSA and French Fries” date, anyone?). Then, work together to ensure the information is accurate and complete. As you fill out the forms, remember to emphasize honesty and accuracy — intentional misporting can lead to auditing of your case, or even a disqualification from aid.
File as early as possible
The earlier you can get it done, the better. You want to submit the FAFSA as close to the opening date as you can manage. Many colleges award financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so early submission can significantly impact the amount of aid received. Not to mention, delays can negatively impact your financial aid options, leaving your student with fewer options.
This counselor provides a helpful guide to maximizing your FAFSA outcomes:
After submission
You did it! The FAFSA and everything else are submitted. Now what?
In addition to the steps for parents that we’ll cover next, encourage your teen to check their email daily — many important aid notices go straight to the student’s inbox.
In the meantime, here’s what you can do.
Monitor deadlines and follow-up forms
Be aware of the varying deadlines for federal, state, and institutional aid. If you need to, create a spreadsheet or calendar reminder system to track due dates.
Furthermore, stay on top of house mail and email inboxes. Some colleges request verification documents. But while it’s relatively routine and nothing to be scared of, parents should still be prepared to respond quickly. Missing a deadline could limit your child’s access to financial aid.
Review the results
Once you receive the Student Aid Report (SAR), carefully review it for errors and make any necessary corrections or updates. This letter will review your application and provide your Student Aid Index (SAI), which determines how much financial aid you need.
If you do need to make corrections, you’ll log in, edit, and resubmit the proper form. The deadline for corrections is typically mid-September of the following year.
Support your teen emotionally
Remember to stay calm and supportive throughout the process. It’s difficult to navigate the stress, but it’s stressful for them, too — after all, this is likely your teen’s first experience handling money and paperwork in this capacity, and your guidance makes a big difference!
Stay positive, and encourage open conversations about college costs, tradeoffs, and decision-making. With the right approach, you can help your teenager through this time and maintain a good family relationship.
Set your child up for success
By following this proactive timeline, parents can navigate the financial aid process effectively and maximize their child’s opportunities for receiving financial assistance to help pay for college. In other words — less stress, more aid, and better options for your child’s future.
Don’t let financial surprises limit your student’s options. In a free consultation call, our team will walk you through your options and how to get started. Connect with an Empowerly counselor today to get personalized support on your financial aid strategy!
