I'm not a citizen according to FAFSA?

[virtuoso735]

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I filled out my FAFSA recently and received confirmation that it has been processed today. However, on the summary PDF, I have this message:

"The Social Security Administration did not confirm that you are a U.S. citizen. Provide your financial aid office with documentation of your U.S. citizenship (such as your U.S. Passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Birth Certificate). If the documents support your status as a U.S. citizen, the financial aid office at your school will make a copy of your documentation and can continue to process your federal student aid."

I emailed the medical school about this, and the financial aid office says that it is possible that the SSA (Social Security Administration) does not have information to show that I am a citizen. I was naturalized 12 years ago. I did some searching online and it is possible that I did not update the SSA with my citizenship status when I was naturalized. However, I did not have this problem when I applied for aid as an undergraduate, so I'm not sure why I have this problem now.

The financial aid office at the school tells me that I need to bring in the necessary paperwork (citizenship papers or passport) in person before I can be awarded any aid. I will likely not be able to attend second look, and since the school is across the country for me, I cannot just bring in the papers. I'm not sure if I will be considered for scholarships and loans if I have this citizenship issue. Has anyone run into this problem, and were they able to send in copies or notarized copies of their citizenship papers? I'm really worried that I won't get any consideration for scholarships and federal loans if I don't get this resolved, and then I won't be able to attend medical school. 🙁

 

[MedPR]

I filled out my FAFSA recently and received confirmation that it has been processed today. However, on the summary PDF, I have this message:

"The Social Security Administration did not confirm that you are a U.S. citizen. Provide your financial aid office with documentation of your U.S. citizenship (such as your U.S. Passport, Certificate of Naturalization or Birth Certificate). If the documents support your status as a U.S. citizen, the financial aid office at your school will make a copy of your documentation and can continue to process your federal student aid."

I emailed the medical school about this, and the financial aid office says that it is possible that the SSA (Social Security Administration) does not have information to show that I am a citizen. I was naturalized 12 years ago. I did some searching online and it is possible that I did not update the SSA with my citizenship status when I was naturalized. However, I did not have this problem when I applied for aid as an undergraduate, so I'm not sure why I have this problem now.

The financial aid office at the school tells me that I need to bring in the necessary paperwork (citizenship papers or passport) in person before I can be awarded any aid. I will likely not be able to attend second look, and since the school is across the country for me, I cannot just bring in the papers. I'm not sure if I will be considered for scholarships and loans if I have this citizenship issue. Has anyone run into this problem, and were they able to send in copies or notarized copies of their citizenship papers? I'm really worried that I won't get any consideration for scholarships and federal loans if I don't get this resolved, and then I won't be able to attend medical school. 🙁

Any aid award you do receive will cover the cost of a plane ticket. And even if you don't get aid, the plane ticket won't break the bank.

 

[virtuoso735]

I'd rather not have to spend $500+ on plane tickets to just submit my documents. I want to be considered for all forms of aid as early as possible, so even if I do go to second look (which is in April for the school in question), I'm worried that all the scholarships will be given out already.

I'm curious if it's possible to send in notarized copies of my documents instead of having to fly in with them. It's such an inconvenience. If I get into more than one school, will I have to fly to all of them?

 

[Jas1360]

Any aid award you do receive will cover the cost of a plane ticket. And even if you don't get aid, the plane ticket won't break the bank.

I agree, borrow some money and get that paperwork taken care of. You will lose all that money you already spent on applications and traveling expenses if you don't get this taken care of.

 

[Jas1360]

I'd rather not have to spend $500+ on plane tickets to just submit my documents. I want to be considered for all forms of aid as early as possible, so even if I do go to second look (which is in April for the school in question), I'm worried that all the scholarships will be given out already.

I'm curious if it's possible to send in notarized copies of my documents instead of having to fly in with them. It's such an inconvenience. If I get into more than one school, will I have to fly to all of them?

None of us know if that is possible. The first thing you should do tomorrow is find your local SSA office. You might be able to take care of it locally, that way.

 

[MedPR]

I'd rather not have to spend $500+ on plane tickets to just submit my documents. I want to be considered for all forms of aid as early as possible, so even if I do go to second look (which is in April for the school in question), I'm worried that all the scholarships will be given out already.

I'm curious if it's possible to send in notarized copies of my documents instead of having to fly in with them. It's such an inconvenience. If I get into more than one school, will I have to fly to all of them?

Nobody can answer that question outside of the school FA department.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

 

[virtuoso735]

Nobody can answer that question outside of the school FA department.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile

True. I emailed them this afternoon but this issue is really nagging at me. 🙁 I will try to do what I can to get it resolved tomorrow.

 

[MedPR]

True. I emailed them this afternoon but this issue is really nagging at me. 🙁 I will try to do what I can to get it resolved tomorrow.

You should probably get the issue resolved with the feds first. I doubt schools will require anything of you if you can get your fafsa issues sorted out.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile