02.02.09 | Five FAFSA Tips/Facts!
Free. Filing your application for federal student aid doesn’t cost you a dime. If you come across a site charging you money, run!
Aid: Qualify for both federal loans and grants.
Flush Your Accounts: the time to buy school supplies; computers, mini-refrigerators, etc is before you file for aid. It is even wise to pay bills in advance if possible. Just try to get those accounts down to maximize your aid benefits.
Shift Assets: any property, savings, and cash in the students name carries more weight (which means you get less aid). You want those assets in a parent’s name. Student’s assets are assessed at 20% rate while parents are just below 6%.
Apply Early. Some funds are awarded on a first come, first serve basis which makes completing your application within the first 60 days of eligibility imperative. For the 2009-2010 academic year complete your application now (click here).
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Hello,
I am trying to help a former student attain a dependancy override. Her parents income is significant and yet she has had no contact with her parents financially and physically for over a year.There has been a history of emotional abuse and perhaps more but understandably she is reluctant to divulge the details of the abuse. I know under the HELO act that this should qualify for unusual circumstances. Besides a letter from myself how much information does she need to divulge in order to attain the override.
August 28th, 2009 | #
Diane, I ended up calling someone at the FAFSA helpline. They told me to include just about any bills paid (even cell phone). Tuition, of course, would be included there. I had to include a big bunch of medical bills for my daughter in the amount we finally figured. The person I talked to said even he did not know if it hurt eligibility for aid. So we did our best to answer as honestly as we could. I have not seen my daughter’s final FAFSA report, but the estimated EFC upon submission was lower than I expected. I don’t know what factors affected that, of course. There have been previous years I was sure the EFC should be lower than it is! Good luck to you!
March 9th, 2009 | #
I have the same question – exactly what is supposed to be included in question 47j on the form – if you received help in college from parents with tuition but now are applying to graduate school is the fact that your parents paid for tuition or rent last year going to influence eligibility for aid this year when you are independent?
March 8th, 2009 | #
I am curious about the FAFSA question regarding any help from friends or family (bills, etc.)not included elsewhere. I have always wondered if admitting that some help was received from others hurt chances of financial aid. Do you know?
February 27th, 2009 | #
I moved from NY and began to work in MA after graduation. I would like to return to NY for graduate school, would I still qualify for in state tuition in NYS? I have filed taxes and MA but I still have my drivers licenses for NYS.
February 26th, 2009 | #
Nicole, did your GPA ever drop below a 2.0 for those three semesters? If it did, then you would be responsible to pay that grant back for the semester in which you dropped below 2.0. What did the letter state for the reason?
February 24th, 2009 | #
yes the school. and it turns out they are definatley making me pay the money back. Im so upset. My mom is single and out of work and I’m partialy unemplyed. I just cant believe they did that to me.
February 24th, 2009 | #
@Nikki: That’s really unusual. Who sent the letter, the school?
February 23rd, 2009 | #
Listen to this.. I have a letter stating I received a federal pell grant. So i went through three semesters on my grant and then a year later they just told me I am not eligible for no apparent reason and I owe the money back. Is this legal??
February 18th, 2009 | #
@joanna: If you’ve already submitted the FAFSA with your parents’ information, then there’s no need for a dependency override. Chances are you would be denied it anyway if you have access to parental financial information.
February 18th, 2009 | #
How do I apply for a professional judegement override? I already sent in my form with my parent’s information…would I still be able to try and override? Any information is useful here
February 17th, 2009 | #
@Jan: Unfortunately, these kinds of things are not accounted for in the FAFSA. You may be able to account for them in your adjusted gross income for tax purposes – consult a qualified tax planner for assistance with that.
February 16th, 2009 | #
We had a lot of medical bills last year, how do we acknowledge this on my daughters FAFSA. I do not know how to add these bills into the application.
February 13th, 2009 | #
@Joanna: You need to scrape up every piece of documentation you’ve got – tax returns, rent statements, pay stubs, the works – and try to apply for a professional judgement override on dependency status after you file your FAFSA. Will you be granted the override? That all depends on your school’s financial aid office.
February 10th, 2009 | #
I am 22 years old and have not been living with my parents for two years. I receive absolutely no financial support from them (e.g. car insurance, rent, food, etc)If I can provide proof from my landlord of proper monthly payments and living statues, will I still be considered a dependent?
February 6th, 2009 | #
I am applying for two state schools in the Fall, however I have not been living with my parents for two years. I receive absolutely no financial support from them (e.g. car insurance, food, rent) I am 22 years old. Am I still considered dependent?
February 6th, 2009 | #