n00bpwner

um this might be a stupid question.
but where on the common app do you state your family's net income? :O
or how do the schools know?

do they just kinda assume based on your parent's job?
or is there a whole financial aid page im missing.
thanks in advance

chirichimes

That's not on the Common App- that's on either CSS/PROFILE or FAFSA, unless there's a supplemental question for the college you're applying to that asks that.

2collegewego

The common app is an application just for admissions. If you want to apply for financial aid, there's an entirely different process.

First, look at the individual college's websites to find out what forms they need and what their deadlines are. Write them all out in a chart so you can keep track.

Next, you will probably apply for federal aid and that's done on a free form called the FAFSA. The first thing you have to do is go to the FAFSA page and apply for an electronic pin that you and your parents will use to 'sign' it. You will get that emailed to you. (Keep it. It's your pin for life.) Once you have that, you can file the FAFSA. (Watch out though: Most of the time, you file the FAFSA *after* Jan 1 because you will use this year's earnings. It is possible-- especially in cases of ED-- that you will be filing it now but will need to file again after Jan 1.) You will list the colleges to which you apply so they can get your info off of the FAFSA. Check with your high school guidance counselor or on your state page because sometimes, there are state grants to which you might want to send the FAFSA.

Some colleges also require an additional form. This can either be the CSS Profile which is put out by the College Board and will cost you $ to file or it can be the school's own form.

One additional tip: Keep track of when you have things sent to each school and, before the school's deadline, call the financial aid office to make sure they've received all of your stuff.