So... just how lenient are these deadlines?

Paying for College
1

<p>Well I sent out my CSS and FAFSA to my schools very early, and sent my IDOC today, only to find that some schools (Cornell for example) don’t use IDOC and want W2 forms etc sent to them directly.</p>

<p>From what I’ve seen, most schools are pretty lenient with their deadlines…</p>

<p>Schools I’m worrying about specifically: Harvard, Princeton, UPenn, Duke, Chicago, Cornell, Northwestern, NYU, Stanford</p>

<p>Some of these schools use IDOC, and I’ve filled out their FA applications, but still require some (less important?) forms such as Harvard’s monthly cash flow sheet that I just never noticed.</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Deadlines are deadlines. By pushing them, you are taking big chances. It is possible that schools may be lenient, but I certainly wouldn’t count on it. I also wouldn’t make that a habit. It’s called “dead” line for a reason. The matter is “dead” after that point.</p>

3

<p>There is no such thing as a “less important form”…and schools have deadlines for reasons. The folks who meet those deadlines will have their financial aid processed first and will receive their awards ON TIME (in other words with their acceptances). If you don’t meet the deadlines, you risk a delayed financial aid award. In other words…get the stuff in the mail ASAP.</p>

<p>I hate to sound harsh, but “not noticing” a form is due won’t sound very good to the Harvard folks. Get it done.</p>

4

<p>Don’t let these guys freak you out, most, if not all FA deadlines are “priority” deadlines, which means that you only need to strictly adhere to them if you need priority consideration. MIT, for example, processes FA requests up to late-July/early-August.</p>

<p>That being said, it is a VERY bad idea to take advantage of this fact if you are seriously in need of aid, because the later you file, the less money is available to you. I also can’t vouch for the policies of every school (especially schools that are not need-blind), so don’t take what I said above as rock solid fact until you check with your schools.</p>

5

<p>I missed one deadline already and the school said that was fine and just to send the info asap. However, I know other schools are a bit touchy. You may get less aid if you send it in late.</p>

6

<p>Don’t assume that it’s too late if you missed a deadline, but every day’s delay can lower your chances. Call the school and ask.</p>

7

<p>I submitted my FAFSA today :/</p>

<p>my school’s deadline is today, and my state’s deadline is tomorrow. So I’m okay, right? lol</p>