<p>Even though the estimates are for sometime between now and Feb 1 before you will get decisions from UMD, you (and your parents) do need to be aware that if you plan at all to apply for financial aid/loans, etc. you will have to have your FAFSA filed by FEB 15. This is the same form used across the country. You do NOT have to have confirmed your plan to attend UMD before the FAFSA is completed. Even if you KNOW you will not qualify for any financial aid, you still should get one submitted by the Feb 15 date anyway…I believe some department scholarships may take need into account, etc. and it’s good to have one submitted, especially if things take an unexpected $$ downturn later in the year (ugh.), as there is some comparison between years on FAFSA, I believe. </p>
<p>Even if you and/or your parents will not have your taxes completed by February 15, you will still need to complete it with estimates, and then followup with the real numbers later. </p>
<p>More info on FAFSA, etc. can be found on the Financial Aid forums here on CC, but here is the UMD site… </p>
<p>[Applying</a> for Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/osfa/app_fafsa_current.html]Applying”>http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/osfa/app_fafsa_current.html)</p>