Shizuka

Hi everyone. Here's what seems an easy question.

The College Board 2011/12 CSS Profile Student Guide (2012/13 guide not yet available) states:

"However, you should
file no later than two weeks before the EARLIEST priority
filing date specified by your colleges or programs."

If we want an "early decision" does this mean no later than two weeks before the "early decision application deadline which is usually Nov. 1st?

I would think this would be the case, but most schools also have what is referred to as the "Financial Aid Deadline" which is often a full 3 or 4 months later.

So, what I am wondering is what exactly is meant by "EARLIEST priority filing date."

Thanks for any insight you can give.

thumper1

If you are applying EARLY DECISION...your school VERY LIKELY has a priority filing deadline date for the Profile that is either late October or early November. That "three months later" deadline for financial aid applications is very very likely to be for regular decision applicants.

Especially for Early Decision...and Early Action ( some schools will give you an estimated award with or shortly after EA acceptance)...your Profile OR a school form or both....would have to be received MUCH earlier. CHECK THOSE DEADLINES and don't miss them.

The school will likely need a Profile done with VERY good estimates for the 2011 tax year...in order to give you an estimated financial aid package with your ED acceptance (should you be accepted). CHECK THE DEADLINES...I can't say that enough times. Old timers here will tell you...I post a thread annually about CHECKING DEADLINES and still...many folks post about missing them.

CHECK EACH SCHOOL FOR ITS FINANCIAL AID AND APPLICATION DEADLINE DATES. DO NOT MISS THOSE DEADLINES. AND DON'T PLAN TO FILE THE NIGHT BEFORE...MANY STUDENTS HAVE REPORTED COMPUTER GLITCHES...PLAN AHEAD AND DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINES.

Shizuka

Thanks Thumper. Sorry I didn't post back until now.

I have since become aware of the distinction between early decision and early action.

As our top choice school offers early action but not early decision, we have decided to submit early action applications to that school and two other schools as well. They all have deadlines of Nov. 1st.

I am taking that to mean we need to submit the CSS Profile by Oct. 15th, but taking your warning not to wait until the last night, my mental deadline is Oct. 10th.

I am viewing as NA (at least to us), the "financial aid deadline" which these schools have in the spring.

If you, Thumper or anyone else sees an error in my thinking please post. Thanks!

thumper1

Check the school financial aid websites to see when that Profile is due for EA applicants.

Shizuka

Ah, that's the heads up I needed. I didn't realize EA application deadlines were different from the EA financial aid docs deadlines. We are all indebted to you Thumper !