Apply for financial aid??

[stanford05]

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Hey guys,

I am sufficiently well-off that medical schools will probably not give me any aid if I apply. However, I am hoping to receive merit scholarships from various schools. I have talked to several people who have received a scholarship to School A, reported it to a School B, and had School B dramatically increase their financial aid package. I'm thinking that if I don't even apply for financial aid, they will not be able to do this...

So does it make sense in my case to apply for it?

 

[jlee9531]

isnt financial aid based on the fafsa information you give to them and along with their personal financial aid forms as well?

i mean its just late to apply no?

 

[stanford05]

yes, sorry. I'm just starting to apply and plan to start in fall 2005.

 

[TheRussian]

There is no reason why you shouldn't apply for financial aid. The worst that can happen is that they won't give you any. But more than likely you'll get at least some low interest loans so it will be worth it to apply.

As for using another schools package as leverage, that can happen but I wouldn't count on it. There are so many qualified applicants that they don't have to give you more money because they can take someone of the waitlist that is just as qualified and is willing to pay.

 

[jlee9531]

yes, sorry. I'm just starting to apply and plan to start in fall 2005.

then you should apply. school use that information.
so apply to fafsa when you can after the new year.

 

[oldtimer]

Just apply. The worst thing they can say to you is that you don't qualify. In your case, no big deal. It's not a lot of time either to do your financial aid app.

 

[SolidGold]

I would suggest that you apply for it as well. You might be able to get something, plus for some schools (at least mine for sure) in order to qualify for a scholarship you need to fill out the FAFSA and institutional financial aid forms.

 

[stanford05]

so it seems like its a good idea.. are you saying that i don't have to apply until after i hear that i'm accepted? like since i'm applying next year, i wouldn't have to send it in until april of 2005? i was under the impression that you had to indicate it early, like in college apps..

 

[TheRussian]

so it seems like its a good idea.. are you saying that i don't have to apply until after i hear that i'm accepted? like since i'm applying next year, i wouldn't have to send it in until april of 2005? i was under the impression that you had to indicate it early, like in college apps..

You don't have to indicate in your apps but you should file the fafsa as soon as your and your parents taxes are complete. The reason for this is that for some schools the sooner you file the sooner you will get your fin aid package and if you are going to be deciding between two schools and money is going to be an issue then it is important to be able to have the fin aid packages before the may 15th deadline. When you file the fafsa you can indicate up 6 schools where you want the info to be sent. When you get the SAR you can select up to 6 more. Also check with the individual schools you are applying to because some also require the NeedAccess or PROFILE in addition to the fafsa.

But you really shouldn't be worrying about this right now. By the time that comes around you will no exactly what to do. I've heard 9 fin aid presentations and I feel like I can give the presentation at any school.