Can schools see your FAFSA school list?

[Azimuthal431]

And if so, does the ordering of schools matter? Will it impact your financial aid? I have read conflicting information on SDN and on other sites.

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[Ismet]

This same question was just asked a few days ago.

No, it does not matter what order you put the schools in. This is not a rank list of any kind.

 

[Azimuthal431]

I did catch that post from a few days ago. But the information here suggests otherwise:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/be-careful-what-you-share-on-the-fafsa/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...-what-other-schools-you-re-sending-it-to.html

 

[polyatomic]

I did catch that post from a few days ago. But the information here suggests otherwise:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/be-careful-what-you-share-on-the-fafsa/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...-what-other-schools-you-re-sending-it-to.html

That's crazy. That never crossed my mind. Luckily I happened to put my first choice school on top...if it matters at all.

 

[Azimuthal431]

Can anyone else weigh in on this?

 

[natg101]

I'd also like to hear more about this. It seems like it would be beneficial to list schools you haven't heard back from higher up. But then schools you're accepted to might see this as a slap in the face and affect financial aid offers? Can see the opposite happening to..?

 

[fhg]

This is the epitome of pre-med crazy. I have been to multiple financial aid presentations where financial aid officers have stated that the only person who even sees your FAFSA is someone in the financial aid office. People list schools in different orders for a wide array of reasons (many probably list them totally randomly). It wouldn't be worth the schools' time to analyze the order of schools on FAFSA.

 

[darkjedi]

I did catch that post from a few days ago. But the information here suggests otherwise:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/be-careful-what-you-share-on-the-fafsa/
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com...-what-other-schools-you-re-sending-it-to.html

It doesn't matter for med school. Financial aid is decided independent of fafsa ranking. At many schools, they make you fill out an extra form.

 

[Azimuthal431]

This is the epitome of pre-med crazy. I have been to multiple financial aid presentations where financial aid officers have stated that the only person who even sees your FAFSA is someone in the financial aid office. People list schools in different orders for a wide array of reasons (many probably list them totally randomly). It wouldn't be worth the schools' time to analyze the order of schools on FAFSA.

The problem is that applicants are potentially disclosing information about what schools they are waitlisted/accepted at, and this could potentially affect admissions decisions and financial aid offers.

 

[chenzt]

That's crazy. That never crossed my mind. Luckily I happened to put my first choice school on top...if it matters at all.

lol the article states that if schools believe they are your first choice, because you listed them first on FAFSA, they will less likely to offer aid.

It's probably something that very few, if any, schools do, but alphabetize if you feel paranoid.

 

[Azimuthal431]

Bump? I called FAFSA and the representative said that schools can "absolutely see that list". Doesn't this violate AAMC/AMCAS privacy clauses?

 

[nemo123]

Most schools have separate admissions and financial aid offices, and I know they generally don't talk to each other.

Besides, if you're really neurotic, just put your list in alphabetical order. Anyone with half a brain will realize your list is in alphabetical order and not in preferential order.

 

[sazerac]

Why not put it in order of acceptance, as if you added each school as you gained an acceptance from them?

 

[jaksmith]

Holy **** you guys are being neurotic.