I suspect that more FA and merit money is generally more available to kids applying for fall of freshman year rather than someone who wants to start mid year (January). Can someone confirm if that is the case?
Often merit money is only granted for fall starts.
Federal Pell grants and loans would be the same no matter when you started. Sometimes schools still have work study and SEOG money, but not always.
If possible, have the kid start freshman year as a fall matriculant. In many cases, merit money is not still available. Limited funding programs like federal work study and SEOG might be used up.
If the college meets full need for all, that’s a different story.
For colleges that don’t meet full need for all, even institutional grant money could be limited.
@twoinanddone and @thumper1 Thank you so much for your insights! Very helpful!
Many schools have little/no aid for spring admits. Wait until the following fall.