Apply for Financial Aid Early

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.