FAFSA, Loans and the Alternate List

[equitate]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am currently on the alternate list (read: anxiety list) at two schools (Mississippi State & Oklahoma State). It was my first time applying and I wasn't flat-out accepted anywhere so these two are my only potential chances of matriculating in the fall. Along with all of the other pleasant thoughts that come with this kind of limbo, I have started to worry about the FAFSA deadline/loans and a last-minute offer to join a class. Both are out-of-$tate $chool$ for me so loans are really my only option. How does this all work if I get an offer in July (or... gulp... August )? Have any of you ever been in the same boat?

 

[Whyevernot55]

I'm also waitlisted at two schools, so I feel your pain. 🙄 Here's what I know about my two - you STILL have to get your info in on time for their financial aid deadlines, which means the FAFSA, and any other fin aid application they have for the school. I would contact the admissions and fin aid offices at the schools you're an alternate at to ask about what you need to do, and what you can expect if you do get called off the waitlist at the last minute.

 

[twelvetigers]

I think you fill out FAFSA like normal, but you list both schools in your application thing.

 

[LVT2DVM]

I will add something to this...while it may be a long shot..on occasion schools do blow thru their alternate lists and recall people from their previous rejections. If you are unfortunately in this category, go ahead and fill out your FAFSA for the schools you applied to because some scholarships require you to have filled out an application by the FAFSA deadline. This happened to me and I missed out on a substantial scholarship my first year. 🙁

I'm also waitlisted at two schools, so I feel your pain. 🙄 Here's what I know about my two - you STILL have to get your info in on time for their financial aid deadlines, which means the FAFSA, and any other fin aid application they have for the school. I would contact the admissions and fin aid offices at the schools you're an alternate at to ask about what you need to do, and what you can expect if you do get called off the waitlist at the last minute.

 

[2CatMatt]

I will add something to this...while it may be a long shot..on occasion schools do blow thru their alternate lists and recall people from their previous rejections. If you are unfortunately in this category, go ahead and fill out your FAFSA for the schools you applied to because some scholarships require you to have filled out an application by the FAFSA deadline. This happened to me and I missed out on a substantial scholarship my first year. 🙁

Scholarship or gov't loans? I thought FAFSA was only for gov't loans.

 

[BeagleVet]

Scholarship or gov't loans? I thought FAFSA was only for gov't loans.

FAFSA is neccesary to receive gov't loans, but some need based scholarships ask for that information to find out if you're qualified rather than making you fill out a separate app and having to duplicate the infrastructure for evaluating it.

 

[vetme]

I am also worried about this.....I filled out my FAFSA and checked that I would be attending the "professional school in the fall even though I don't know, but then I went back and corrected it saying I would be a senior after my school emailed me freaking out about my status. Now they are freaking out about the changes I made. So I don't know how it will play out. I haven't had a chance to schedule an appt. to go over things.