CSS/FASFA Priority filing deadlines Answered
I applied for the CSS and FASFA and submitted it to all my schools that accepted them. (Public schools and some other schools did not require a CSS) and I just learned that some had priority filing deadlines as early as November 1st. I submitted my FASFA end of October, however some of my schools did not receive this until later (and for one of my schools if says they received the FASFA in late December?) and I submitted the CSS to most of my schools on November 5th, 5 days after this "priority" deadline for a few of my schools. I am very confused on what this priority deadline is, and did I miss it for these schools? I was never made aware of this and am still confused about these deadlines, will I now not receive financial aid for these schools, especially because these schools say they meet 100% of demonstrated financial need? Will a few days off from the deadline be that important? Thank you!
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2 answers
Priority deadline just means you get reviewed first for aid. If you missed the priority deadline, you will still recieve aid! It depends on how your schools do it—some might offer more aid to those who file first over those who file last. But if these schools say they meet 100% of demonstrated financial aid, priority will mean they are just reviewed first. As long as you made the hard deadline, you're good :D
You are guaranteed to receive financial aid so long as you apply by the main deadline. Applying by the priority deadline only has a small effect on your aid package - early applicants are first in line to receive limited internal merit scholarships (e.g. the GU Scholarship, which is automatically awarded to certain Georgetown students in aid packages) and other pools of federal aid.
These programs are designed to be disbursed on a first come, first serve basis. Plenty of applicants still do receive aid from these sources after applying beyond the priority deadline. As others have said, schools that meet 100% of financial need will meet that need no matter when you apply for aid. Hope this helps!
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Thank you so much that is such a relief!!