Missing a deadline for financial aid - what does it really mean?
I was recently asked by a family, "what does it really mean if we are late submitting our financial aid applications", so I thought I would share my response to this issue.
FAQs: Will my late application be reviewed, considered, processed? I'm only a few days late, does it really matter that much? Can I be considered for something else?
The short answer to the issue is that missing a financial aid deadline basically means that you will have a very slim chance to get the funding from that source (e.g. college financial aid deadline, scholarship deadline, state grant application deadline,etc)
Advice- Yes, you may loose an opportunity to take advance of one resource but don't give up completely. Keep up the search for other scholarships, grants and loans that still have open or available application dates.
There was a time when you may have been able to squeeze an application in if it was only a couple days late. However, now with the economy in the state that it is in and people and foundations losing money, and more families in need then ever before, a late application is less likely to be considered.
Advice -Pay attention and get or stay organized. Every source of money for college has its own deadline and this creates much confusion. Starting early and staying on top of your planning helps enormously. If you are already late and have missed a deadline or two, know that the aid could be lower or you may have missed that opportunity altogether. Contact the source of the aid (college financial aid office, scholarship contact, etc) and learn more about your next steps and other options. Keep searching for additional sources. Don't give up! Stay connected and watch for the information posted here.
More State Financial Aid Deadlines
May 1:
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
Pennsylvania
May 15:
Florida
