FAFSA opening date changes to Oct. 1st.

[2020Heful]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi Everyone,
There are two major changes to the FAFSA for this coming year. For the upcoming 2017-2018 school year, the FAFSA opening date has been moved to Oct. 1, 2016 instead of Jan.1, 2017. The second change is that you will use the 2015 tax return information. You won't have to wait to complete your 2016 taxes in order to file.

 

[cheathac]

Do veterinary students that fill out the FASFA get any type of aid?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[WildZoo]

Do veterinary students that fill out the FASFA get any type of aid?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Do you mean other than loans?

 

[cheathac]

Yes. Like I know for undergrad you got federal aid. I didn't receive any so I'm not sure how it works. Are most vet students dependent on parents when it comes to taxes? Bc then aid would be based on their income?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[JaynaAli]

If I remember right, I think all vet students are considered independents for FAFSA. I could be mistaken, though, it's been a while since I had to think about it. There is a loan with a better interest rate that you can apply for that takes your parents' info into consideration (Health Professions Student Loan?) but you don't have to put their info if you do not want to apply for that loan. I don't know of any vet students that were given grants or anything besides loans. Like WZ said you have to do the FAFSA to be eligible for the federal student loans. The only reason I can see a veterinary student NOT doing the FAFSA is if you are paying everything out of pocket or if you're doing private loans only, which is generally not advised since you can't do the loan repayment programs with private loans. I never did the FAFSA early (more like March to May) and I was always offered more than I needed in loans but didn't get anything else.

 

[WildZoo]

Yes. Like I know for undergrad you got federal aid. I didn't receive any so I'm not sure how it works. Are most vet students dependent on parents when it comes to taxes? Bc then aid would be based on their income?


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

I haven't heard of any vet students getting grants or anything besides loans through FAFSA, though I suppose it is possible. And Jayna is correct, all vet students are considered independent, so you don't have to include your parents' information, but you can. Some schools will do the Health Professions Loan, but not all.

 

[deleted676737]

According to the financial aid presentation given to us in orientation, vet students are just point-blank not eligible for federal grants. You are automatically considered an independent student. There are still scholarships available through schools, but honestly they're a drop in the bucket and most people don't even get one. It's pretty much all loans unless you're independently wealthy and fortunate enough to have family or savings paying your way.

Definitely sucks about the no grants thing, though; I got multiple need-based ones in undergrad and it would have been cool to continue getting them, but I guess I can see why they aren't offered to us--pretty much everyone would need them.

 

[aggievethopeful2021]

This is the same way for graduate programs like Masters as well. All loans, unless you are lucky enough to to get a grant or scholarship through your school for research.

 

[2020Heful]

When you fill out the FAFSA there is a box you check to say you are in or applying to an advanced degree program, such as a masters or a doctorate. That makes you independent for FAFSA purposes. If you include you parent's information, you may be eligible for the Health Professions Loan. The interest for the HP Loans doesn't start to accrue until you graduate, unlike the regular federal loans where in interest starts to accrue while you are in school.

 

[deleted498041]

When you fill out the FAFSA there is a box you check to say you are in or applying to an advanced degree program, such as a masters or a doctorate. That makes you independent for FAFSA purposes. If you include you parent's information, you may be eligible for the Health Professions Loan. The interest for the HP Loans doesn't start to accrue until you graduate, unlike the regular federal loans where in interest starts to accrue while you are in school.

I always put in my parents information. Was never eligible.

 

[Teepster87]

Financial aid at my school wants everyone to fill it out. It does get you eligible for loans, but apparently the school uses it for divvying out grant money and scholarships as well.