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I did a search of the forum but couldn't find this topic covered. This is probably a very basic question that I should know the answer to but I don't.

So I remember that when applying to undergrad (not that long ago for me) schools wanted me to include FAFSA (if after January) and/or fill out their own financial aid applications to send in with the applications to the schools themselves.

I realize the huge difference here is that law schools have rolling admissions so I'm applying in September/October versus December/January.

My question is this: do law schools also want the applicant to apply for financial aid at the same time as applying to the school itself and then just send in the FAFSA once the form becomes available? I couldn't find any answers to this on ANY school websites and from reading this forum I got the idea that the process went "get admitted then apply for aid". I'm getting everything together to be ready to send in apps by the end of September latest and it would be so helpful to know if I need to get old tax information/debt info/whatever together now as well. If anybody who already went through the process can help me that would be amazing.

Thanks!

Fill out the FAFSA in January (or as soon as you can after January) and once you have made your seat deposit your school will let you know if you need to fill out a school specific app and then they will send you a letter stating what financial aid you are being offered.

For FAFSA you need info from your tax return. Thus, its best to file your taxes as soon as you receive your w-2 and then fill out your fafsa soon thereafter. I think you can fill out the FAFSA earlier using estimated tax info, but you have to go back and make changes according to your actual information. Your FAFSA generally does not affect the amount of scholarship a school will offer you so there's really no reason to even think about it until you do your taxes.

Like everyone said, FAFSA in January. You need to go through a separate qualification process for GradPlus though, normally after you send in your deposit. They are strict on credit with the GradPlus loans, so make sure you can either qualify on your own or that you have a qualified cosigner.

Oh, and Geist is right about the "estimated tax" info. Fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. The government will process your FAFSA, and send it to your schools so they know you'll be applying for aid and can prepare, but the schools won't actually do anything with it to give you a firm aid package until you update with actual tax info. At least you get your name in the pile early, though.