The best time to begin seriously inquiring about financial aid is at the beginning of your senior year in high school. The best sources of information are the financial aid officers at the colleges you are considering. Applications for aid should be made as soon as possible after January of your senior year or when your family's tax information for the previous year is available. For example, if you are planning to enroll in college in the Fall of 1998, you should begin to apply for financial aid in January, 1998. You do not need to know which college or university you will be attending to apply for financial aid.
Institutional aid is specific to each campus.
All of the sources listed below will be utilized by college financial aid offices in determining your need-based package.