Time is Money - Don't Miss Financial Deadlines

Time is money-  and running out of time means No money for college!

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
 
READ MORE - Time is Money - Don't Miss Financial Deadlines

Find Money for College and Learn How to Get Admitted

Information for students of all ages

National College Fair
Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

Fairs sponsored by NACAC are held all across the nation each spring and fall.  Significant numbers of colleges are represented and come from all across the country.  Attending National College Fairs is an ideal way to learn about the entire college preparation process.  The next spring National College Fair will be held in:

Springfield, MA
March 7, 2010   12-4pm
and March 8, 2010 9am- 12pm

Eastern States Exposition (The Big E)
West Springfield, MA
For more informaiton follow the Springfield link or call 413/737-2443.
 You can also contact NACAC using  E-mail collegefairs@nacacnet.org or call them at: 703/836-2222 ext 155.
READ MORE - Find Money for College and Learn How to Get Admitted

Help with FAFSA - Financial Aid Forms

Information specific to students and their families

Completing the FAFSA for Financial Aid

The Free Application For Federal Student Aid -FAFSA must be completed every year in order to determine if students are eligible to receive federal student financial aid.  Workshops will be held all across the country throughout the spring to help students and their families to complete these forms.  The following states will sponsor their College Goal Sunday Financial aid sessions on Sunday, January 31, 2010.  Follow these links to get more information on the events held by each state:

Massachusets
Hawaii
Kentucky
Maryland
New Jersey
READ MORE - Help with FAFSA - Financial Aid Forms