Information for students and parents from the California Student Aid Commission:
When should I file the FAFSA?
As we enter the financial aid filing season, some questions come up every year about filing the FAFSA. Further FAFSA questions can be made to the Federal Student Aid Programs at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/contact.htm
Q: When should I file the 2012-13 FAFSA?
A: As early as possible! The state Cal Grant program and many state college and university financial aid programs have a March 2 filing deadline - but many schools and programs have earlier deadlines.
Some colleges ask that the FAFSA be filed as soon after January 1 as possible! The California Student Aid Commission advises students to file as early as possible. The 2012-13 FAFSA is filed online at www.fafsa.gov
Q: How can I find out whether my college has an earlier financial aid and scholarship filing deadline?
A: Visit the college financial aid website. The federal and state program deadline will be the same at most schools but institutional scholarships frequently have deadlines in January.
Q: What else is required to meet financial aid filing requirements?
A: For the state Cal Grant program a school certified GPA must also be submitted by March 2, 2012. Information on Cal Grant GPA submission can be found at http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1177 or e-mail
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Colleges may also require additional forms. Students should visit the college financial aid website to inquire what they need.
Q: Do I or my parents have to complete our 2011 tax returns before we can file the FAFSA?
A: No. The FAFSA asks whether the student and parents have already filed, will file or won’t be filing with the IRS. If the FAFSA is filed before taxes are filed, the student and parents provide the best estimate of their income as possible, then later, when the actual taxes are filed, they log back into www.fafsa.gov and add the actual figures.
Q: Shouldn’t I wait to file the FAFSA until my parent’s taxes are done?
A: No. File as soon as you can, then correct the FAFSA later. The FAFSA allows students and parents to import their final tax information from the IRS starting about two weeks after the return is filed. This makes is very easy to update the tax info later.
Q: What questions will I have to answer on the FAFSA?
A: The FAFSA questions are all on the FAFSA on the Web worksheet. The worksheet can be completed before sitting down to file the FAFSA. By completing the FAFSA on the Web worksheet, students and parents can have all of the answers ready for entry, including their 2011 year financial information. The 2012-13 FOTW Worksheet can be found online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1213/pdf/fafsaws13c.pdf
Cal Grant Operations/School Support Services Program Administration & Services Division California Student Aid Commission
Phone: (888) 294-0153
Fax: (916) 464-6499
