Sure, financial aid forms (
">Free Application for Federal Student Aid,
known as the FAFSA) are due in late June, but it is in your best
interest to submit your forms as early as possible, say in January,
for example. When you submit your forms early you're may get a more
generous offer than if you submit your forms at the last minute. Why?
Admissions committees and departments often determine financial aid
packages, such as
assistantships, at the same time as they select
applicants to admit. Once admissions committees decide upon applicants
to accept, they determine what forms of financial aid to offer to
each. Aid is determined by combining the candidate's ranking with his
or her need. Submit your forms early so that committees can assess
your need -- and perhaps offer you more aid than you'd receive with a
form submitted just before the deadline.