Parents and Financial Aid:

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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BodhiBird

BodhiBird

TCSVM c/o 2013
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Just wondering if anyone has been successful at having the school waive one of the parent's tax information. My dad (who doesn't give me aid anyways) informed me that his tax return would definitely not be available by Tufts' March 6th deadline. I just e-mailed Tufts, but I am not feeling confident that they will let it slide after their financial aid presentation before my interview back in December. I was already nervous about financial stuff, now I'm freakin' out! :scared:
 
For the FAFSA it doesn't matter much. I am an independent, but for the health thing I have to enter parent's info, but my parent's are divorced so it only asks me to enter one. However, the Tufts thing is separate, are other schools insisting on both parent's info regardless? Stupid money.
 
the FAFSA can be filled out anytime, but usually the earlier you submit it, the better, as schools start giving out scholarships to those students with complete financial aid applications and might run out of money if you wait too long. You can submit the FAFSA before you or your parents file taxes, you just have to go back and enter the info as soon as taxes are filed.
 
BodhiBird said:
I just e-mailed Tufts, but I am not feeling confident that they will let it slide after their financial aid presentation before my interview back in December.
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I emailed Tufts too, back when we first got these applications and was told in response that it needs to be filled out completely by March 6, including your parent's 08 tax return.

Also, does anyone know how many people get these health professions loans and that other loan that I forget the name, but is need-based and depends on our parent's info. Do they take into consideration the parent's contribution, because my parents do alright, but their not giving me a lick of money for vet school. I just wondered how selective they were. If you fill out your parents info, are you guaranteed to get these loans? Because honestly, if your not, its a lot of work for something that you 'might' get!
 
Tufts wants divorced parents to fill out separate parent questionnaires. If your dad is unwilling or unable to cooperate (and I hear ya there, I hope mine follows through) then the worst case scenario would be that Tufts says you're ineligible for institutional aid and eligible for federal and private loans only. I suggest calling them and explaining the situation, though- it's worth a shot. I don't know what the situation is with your dad, but maybe if you explain that it's very important to have copies of his tax returns before the deadline, he'll make it happen?
 
Good luck trying to get any of the subsidized aid with your parent's information on the FAFSA. My Dad is a doctor and he contributed NOTHING to my college education, however I still had to put his income on my FAFSA. The government estimated my family's contribution to my education to be $60,000 per year. Ha! I was lucky to squeeze $20 out of them. Anyway, when I went into the financial aide office at ISU to see about getting out of putting his info on my FAFSA they told me that the only way to do that was to be over 24 years of age, married, a child of the foster care system, or a refugee. I was none of those and was stuck with his income on my forms. I only qualified for unsubsidized and private (really high interest rate) loans. Yeah, I'll be paying off student loans till I die. Thanks Dad!
 
I hear ya Mocha. I don't know how much my dad brings in, he is a lawyer though, but contributes zero. I don't have to list him on the FAFSA though because I am independent and my parents are divorced. I'm just hoping things with Tufts financial aid works out... I suppose if not this year hopefully he gets his taxes in order for next year. Also, anyone know if you can get MA residence in the middle of the 4 years at Tufts? I know Auburn locks you in to the out of state tuition for all your 4 years.
 
Since you will be enrolling in a grad/prof program, you are considered financially indep in the eyes of the Federal government, which means that your parent's information is not required to be on your FAFSA.

To be considered for Tufts institutional aid (and for the Health Prof loan program), though, you must provide parental information. You can still be considered for Tufts institutional aid w/o submitting parental information as long as you submit an "affidavit of independence" to Tufts stating that you have been financially indep for at least the past 5 years (and both of your parents are going to have to sign the affidavit, as well). This is the only way, to my knowledge, that you can get out of providing parental information to Tufts for institutional aid. Note that the Health Prof loan program requires parental info to be submitted no matter what. Call the finaid folks at Tufts if you have any questions; they are a nice group of folks!

There is no way to convert to an in-state student at Tufts once you are accepted and begin matriculating as an out-of-state student.



BodhiBird said:
I hear ya Mocha. I don't know how much my dad brings in, he is a lawyer though, but contributes zero. I don't have to list him on the FAFSA though because I am independent and my parents are divorced. I'm just hoping things with Tufts financial aid works out... I suppose if not this year hopefully he gets his taxes in order for next year. Also, anyone know if you can get MA residence in the middle of the 4 years at Tufts? I know Auburn locks you in to the out of state tuition for all your 4 years.
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Since I haven't lived at home for 14 years, was widowed once, married twice, and have owned 3 homes now, I am definitly independent, but was still told I needed parents info to qualify for some loans/grants, even though thier income won't be considered (they never helped with any of my education or life costs since I turned 15.)

My folks are very private. By my estimates, they can't make more than $40k/yr combined, and they work very hard. They are also born-again Christians that tithe 10% and currently strong supporters of thier church/community. I had to arrange for an accountant to fill out the FAFSA so that I would not get to see the actual numbers of what they make. My loving husbands income and our savings will be the big factors for us. Does income really affect loan availability?
 
sumstorm said:
Does income really affect loan availability?
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It affects the type of loan you qualify for. If you make too much money then you will not get the subsidized loans, which means that interest will start accruing from the day you take the loan out. You will probably end up having to take out private loans at a much higher interest rate. That's been my experience anyway.
 
Hey all! Just wanted to let you guys know that not every school requires you to fill out your parents info. In fact NCSU sent me an email yesterday stating that I did not have to include my parents info! Just wanted to let you guys know!
 
3dogsand2cats, I was ready to celebrate when I read that! Makes my life so much easier.
 
3dogsand2cats said:
Hey all! Just wanted to let you guys know that not every school requires you to fill out your parents info. In fact NCSU sent me an email yesterday stating that I did not have to include my parents info! Just wanted to let you guys know!
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Do they offer HPSL thoough?

The issue hasn't been any schools actually requiring it, just that it can be advantageous for applicants to include it.
 
mochavet said:
Good luck trying to get any of the subsidized aid with your parent's information on the FAFSA. My Dad is a doctor and he contributed NOTHING to my college education, however I still had to put his income on my FAFSA.
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This is 100% not true for government Stafford loans at US veterinary schools.

You have to put down your parents info for some loans (HPSL, possibly some school based loans). But by going to graduate school you are automatically considered financially independent, even if you don't meet any of the other requirements for financial independence. So even if your parents' info is there for other purposes, they DO NOT factor it into your Stafford loan/federal direct loan calculations.

mochavet said:
Anyway, when I went into the financial aide office at ISU to see about getting out of putting his info on my FAFSA they told me that the only way to do that was to be over 24 years of age, married, a child of the foster care system, or a refugee. I was none of those and was stuck with his income on my forms. I only qualified for unsubsidized and private (really high interest rate) loans. Yeah, I'll be paying off student loans till I die. Thanks Dad!
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If ISU is Iowa State University, then this information must have come from being an undergraduate there or something, because when I was there last year, the financial aid officer told us the complete opposite thing for veterinary students.

What's more, I put my parents' info on my FAFSA last year (for veterinary school) because I wasn't sure which school I'd end up at and some of them did have HPSLs. My parents are do very very nicely (financially) and would easily disqualify me for any nice government subsidized loans if the government figured that they were contributing to my education. However, since the gov't doen't use parental info for determining your Stafford loan sub/unsub breakdown in grad school, it made no difference. I got the full $8,500 subsidized that grad students can get and was also offered the full $30,000 (or there abouts) unsubsidized that all medical grad students get offered regardless of financial circumstances.

Stafford loans are currently 6.8% fixed interest rate (though I believe it's up for adjustment every July 1), so definitely not a high interest loan. Although, sadly, much higher than they used to be maybe 10 years ago (3-ish% interest, so I've heard).
 
Not Currently Offering HPSL
UC Davis
Missouri

Currently Offering HPSL
Tufts
Cornell
 
Not Currently Offering HPSL
UC Davis
Missouri

Currently Offering HPSL
Tufts
Cornell
Iowa State
 
Not Currently Offering HPSL
UC Davis
Missouri

Currently Offering HPSL
Tufts
Cornell
Iowa State
Penn
 
Not Currently Offering HPSL
UC Davis
Missouri

Currently Offering HPSL
Tufts
Cornell
Iowa State
Penn
THE Ohio State University 😉
 
When filling out the FAFSA, is it best to send it to the schools I applied before I know a decision? Or should I wait until I know which one I'll be going to? The early it is submitted, the better....but is now too early for a school I might not be accepted?

Your thoughts? (I know virtually nothing about the financial stuff)
 
I have spent a lot of time talking with Tuffs about that. The answer is no. If your Dad can't get it in, no matter the circumstances, you wont be considered for institutional aid for the upcoming year.

There is just no way around that. What you may not know though is that if your situation is absolute destituion you will not get any INSTITUTIONAL aid. Tuffs has told me that several times. So, if that is your case, you may as well not apply for institutional aid through Tufts, and if you dont do that then you dont need to get parent stuff.
 
Not Currently Offering HPSL
UC Davis
Missouri

Currently Offering HPSL
Tufts
Cornell
Iowa State
Penn
THE Ohio State University
Illinois
 
What is the difference betweenHPSL and Stafford? I have MANY Stafford loans, how do they differ?
 
I have a Health Professions Loan and I go to Mizzou, maybe I am confused...
 
TSUJC said:
What is the difference betweenHPSL and Stafford? I have MANY Stafford loans, how do they differ?
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HPSL and Stafford are both through the federal government. HPSL has a lower interest rate, but has less money available (I think it depends on school but think <5000). HPSL requires parental information to apply; Stafford does not.
 
I have been in contact with TUFTS about not putting on of my parent's information as I dont even have contact with them and you have to write an explanation of the situation and then have two people (professional, like lawyer, clergy, professor, etc.) send in something to confirm my explanation. It's a lot of work, but it has to be a legit reason (like for me it's absentee parent), while I am not 100% sure, but i don't believe your father's late tax returns will qualify for an exception. You can try though! Good luck, and hope to be in TUCSVM c/o 2013 with ya... especially after all this work with financial aid lol
 
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Since I wanted to check into HSPL with Penn, I searched the Penn Vet website and found this:

"Only after accepting an offer to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (i.e., returned Student Data Form and Deposit), should an incoming student complete applications for student financial aid. Additional information will be sent to the student after applications have reviewed by the University Student Financial Services."

AND:
"Parent contribution: A reasonable contribution is determined after reviewing detailed financial statements submitted by your parents as well as the previous year's Federal Income Tax returns with W-2 forms. In the case of divorce or separation, information from the non-custodial parent may be required. Student Income Contribution: The student is expected to contribute a minimum amount of income. The minimum student contribution is approximately $2,000. Spouse Contribution: If you are married or plan to be married, a reasonable contribution toward your educational and living expenses is expected from your spouse, except in cases where your spouse is also a full-time student. Assets: Including, but not limited to, savings, investments, 401K plans, trust funds, home equity."

Amazing....29 years old and they think my parents are going to contribute to vet school education when they didn't contribute to my undergrad education. Note, if you do your fafsa online, you can edit it later...so I put NCSU's institution number in, but not Penn's.
 
If your parents are divorced, does it matter which parent you put on the FAFSA information?

My mother and I have a rocky relationship and so she's holding her tax information over my head (go figure), so I am thinking of going ahead and asking dad for his tax info instead.

We're not residents of the same state, but that doesn't matter does it? I'm now considered independent of my parents. (My mother and I have the same state residency).
 
If your school requires parental info or your going for the HSPL, you will need both.

on the electronic FAFSA, it wouldn't progress without info on both unless you put that one was deceased.
 
I'm not sure if this info is helpful to anyone, but it was helpful to me, so I'll post it:
If I provide parent income information on the FAFSA, will this hurt my financial aid award package?

NO! If your parent income information is too high to make you eligible for the HSPL, it is just ignored! Providing parent income information can only help you; it can never hurt your financial aid packages. Again, providing parent income information is OPTIONAL!

Source: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/4440.htm#q6

I am self-supporting and I'm pretty sure my folks' income would be too high for me to be considered for HSPL and since it would be such a pain to get my parents' info, I just didn't include it on the FAFSA. For Tufts, however, unless you can prove that you have been self-supporting for five or more years (based on tax returns), and your parents sign a document stating that you have not lived with them for more than 6 consecutive weeks over the past five years, then you MUST (excluding exceptions such as absentee parents, discussed above) include your parents' financial info to be seriously considered for their financial aid (they may consider you after everyone else who has submitted parental info has been awarded - but don't quote me on that). Penn and Tufts are two of only three private veterinary schools (the other being Western) so they tend to have their own rules when it comes to applying for financial aid.
 
So, Penn does consider your parents and Tufts does not, based on information from their websites.

And the 'if in doubt, consult the schools you need to know from' rule stands. Arbitrary and somewhat random.
 
The best thing to do, if in doubt, is to call each individual financial aid office and talk with them about your specific questions. Sometimes, the information on schools' websites is not going to give the entire picture.

I was under the impressions that NONE of the schools could require your parent's information if you only wanted to be considered for Federal aid such as Stafford Loans (NOT including the HPSL, which is Federal and which DOES require your parent's information). Beyond Federal aid, each school has different rules to be considered for their pot of institutional money. Tufts, for example, DOES require your parent's information in order to be considered for their institutional aid (school-based loans, grants, etc), UNLESS you have been financially independent for at least the past 5 years and can sign an affidavit and provide additional paperwork proving so.

Again, though, the breadth of this information is many times not found online, so talking with a financial aid counselor and asking questions specific to your situation is ultimately going to get you the information you really need.

Good luck!

sumstorm said:
So, Penn does consider your parents and Tufts does not, based on information from their websites.

And the 'if in doubt, consult the schools you need to know from' rule stands. Arbitrary and somewhat random.
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