FAFSA aid packages vs. scholarship competition timing - will we see financial aid offers before January?

In my experience working with families on financial aid, you'll typically receive your initial financial aid package (including your FAFSA-based aid) before the scholarship competitions. The schools want to give you a baseline understanding of what you'll receive. Then any additional merit scholarships your son earns at those January competitions will be added to the existing package.\n\nThe timeline usually works like this:\n- Initial merit awards (which you've received)\n- FAFSA-based aid package (usually December-January)\n- Additional competitive scholarships (January-February)\n- Final revised package (February)\n\nI recommend calling the financial aid office at both schools to ask for their specific timelines. Each school handles this differently, and they can tell you exactly when to expect your SAI-based aid package.

Thank you, this is really helpful! I didn't realize the process would be broken down like that. I'll call both schools tomorrow. I've been hesitant to bother them during such a busy season, but I think I need the clarity.

we got our daughters aid package in december last year and then they just added the extra scholarship money she won in february. the financial aid offiec emailed us a revised letter with the new total. btw the fafsa doesnt give scholarships its just grants and loans, the schools give the scholarships

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's reassuring to hear. And yes, you're right - I should have been clearer that FAFSA determines eligibility for federal grants/loans, not scholarships. It's all a bit confusing to keep straight sometimes.

The timing can actually vary quite significantly between schools. Some institutions wait until ALL potential merit aid is determined before sending a comprehensive package, while others will send an initial package and then update it later as scholarship competitions conclude.\n\nIn my 12 years working in financial aid, I've seen both approaches. The most important factor is your son's specific deadlines. Since he needs to decide by early February, I would strongly recommend:\n\n1. Contact both financial aid offices immediately and explain your timeline constraints\n2. Ask if they can provide an estimated package before the scholarship competitions\n3. Request information about how and when additional merit scholarships will be incorporated\n4. Inquire about their appeals process if the final package isn't sufficient\n\nDifferent schools operate on different timelines, but they can often accommodate families with specific deadline needs if you're proactive in communicating with them.

This happened to me too! I waited for my

The financial aid system is DESIGNED to keep families in the dark until the last possible minute!!! My daughter went through this last year and we didn't get her FINAL packages until MARCH even though deposits were due May 1st. The schools claimed they were \

While I understand your frustration, I should clarify that the SAI (Student Aid Index) is calculated consistently by the federal government based on your FAFSA information. What you're describing sounds like institutional methodology that some private colleges use for awarding their own funds. Public universities generally stick closer to the federal formula, while private schools may consider additional assets like home equity when distributing their institutional aid.

I had this exact situation with my twins last year! It was so stressful trying to get everything finalized in time. One thing that really helped me was using Claimyr to connect with the Federal Student Aid office when I had questions about how their FAFSA information was being sent to schools. The regular FSA phone line had me on hold for hours, but Claimyr got me through to an agent in minutes. I just went to claimyr.com and they have a video demo here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Super helpful for checking on FAFSA processing status and making sure everything was correctly sent to all our schools.

is that service legit? seems sketchy to pay someone just to make a phone call for you...

It's definitely legitimate! They don't make the call for you - they basically hold your place in line and then call you when they've reached an agent. Then they connect you directly to the agent. Saved me hours of frustration when I needed to verify some information about my twins' FAFSA submissions.

my kid got his big merit scholarship in november and then we got the rest of the fafsa stuff in january and everything was finalized by like mid-feb? but every school is different

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses! I called both schools this morning. School #1 said they'll send the initial financial aid package (with federal aid) in early January, and then update it after the scholarship competition on Jan 22. School #2 said they actually wait until after all merit scholarships are determined before sending any aid package, which will be early February. Cutting it close, but at least now I know what to expect! I really appreciate all the insights here.

Excellent work being proactive! This is exactly why it's so important to contact each school directly. As you discovered, they handle timing quite differently. Now you have clear expectations and can plan accordingly. If you need any help comparing the packages when they arrive, feel free to post again in February.

btw make sure ur son fills out the thank you letters for the scholarships he already got. my daughters roomate almost lost her merit scholarship bcuz she didnt send the thank u note they required!!

Oh my goodness, I had no idea! I'll double-check the fine print on his award letters tonight. Thank you for this tip - that would have been a disaster!