The Beast and FAFSA Deadlines

The Beast likes to try to outsmart you. One of the Beast's best ploys is something called DEADLINES.  Deadlines are a little scary.  I'll give you that.  There is the word "dead" in it after all. 

But you can still win this battle. It's not too late. Since I'm writing this in April, I don't want you to panic if you have not done your FAFSA.  You can still fill it out.  It is important in the future though to fill out the FAFSA as close to January 1st as you can.  The reason for this is that it puts you in line for the money.  Many students wait until their parents (or they, themselves) have filed their taxes before filling out the FAFSA.  FAFSA allows you to estimate the amount of money your family has made, and once you have filed your taxes, go back into the online form and correct the information. This year there is a really cool application that FAFSA offers called the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.  It is a way to connect your IRS tax return with the FAFSA and it makes things easier for you. Check it out!

According to the FAFSA website, in California you have until September 2, 2012 to complete your FAFSA to qualify for additional community college awards. Click on "Deadlines" on the FAFSA homepage to find the details for your state.  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm FAFSA also encourages you to print out your online confirmation page when you are done. I'm assuming this is to prove that you completed it by the deadline. Also, make sure and check with your college's financial aid department and ask what their deadlines are because every college is a little different. 

The best way to conquer deadlines?  A calendar.  The Beast hates calendars.  All calendars. It doesn't matter if you use your smart phone, the free calendar your grandmother gave you from her insurance agent, or the back of your hand.  The Beast cowers at calendars. So write down or enter your deadlines and keep yourself alive in the face of the College Beast. 

Until next time...Grrrrrrr!!!