FAFSA for accelerated program

[bigal40]

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If you are in an accelerated(3+4) BS/MD program can you file your FASFA as an independent?
One way to qualify as a independent is
"* The student is enrolled in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree."

 

[schrizto]

That's an interesting question. I would say no, because the "program" you are enrolled in is really your undergraduate institution, which does not lead to a graduate degree, and the BS/MD is just an agreement.

 

[red10]

i'd call the FAFSA people. We can only speculate

 

[TexasFight]

I'm not sure if you'd want to. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you are going for a professional degree, FAFSA is a lot less generous with funds. And that's why most med students take out loans (regardless of how poor they are).

 

[Mattabet]

My friend did one of these - the program really isn't as homogeneous as it sounds (at least in his case). For the first 2 years (and summers) you're working on your BS in some meaningless degree area that covers the requisites. When you satisfactorily complete that, you automatically gain admission to the medical school for your MD. So, you'd tackle the FAFSA just like people on a longer plan. While you're doing the undergrad part, you're probably a dependent, and an independent while in medical school.

The BS part is separate from the MD part, it's just guaranteed that you'll get in if you do the work in a BS/MD.