FAFSA Question For January 2016 Filing

[leebee]

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't considered the possibility of the final semester not being completed on time due to illness or some other factor. Never qualified for need based aid anyway, the fafsa was required (I think- it was so long ago now!) as part of a merit award. It was for four years, but basically covered everything, even room and board, so I wouldn't want to jeapordize it. I have no idea what would happen if this final semester was not completed on time. Maybe I should check what the last date possible the school needs the fafsa by. If it is June like a previous poster mentions for their case, then the semester would be over anyway.

I'd file the FAFSA as soon as possible anyhow. There are many "money sources" that are given out on a first come, first served basis, with the date of the FAFSA filing representing your place in line. Once the money is gone, it doesn't matter if you qualify or not- there's no money to hand out. Obviously, "free" money goes first. It stinks to get a fin aid package that's just loans, when you know there could've been grant/scholarship money too if only you'd filed that FAFSA sooner.