is it better to put parent's info on FAFSA?

[ckow]

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Since the "parents' information" part of the FAFSA is optional, is it to our benefit to fill it out regardless....OR are there some situations where it's better not to?

Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

[jes1ca]

I am not totally sure, but I think it depends on what school you are attending to a certain extent. I would call the school you will be attending and ask them. I know for Tufts that it is advantageous to use your parents' info so that you can qualify for additional loans. I am not sure if this applies to other schools though. They might see your parents' info and assume that you parents will help you out--although I think that for professional school they assume that you are independent from you parents.

 

[ecdoesit]

i read from usc
they have u to fill it out
otherwise, u r not likely to get some grant or something.
besides, all the private loans probably need that info anyway.
so if you are applying for private sch it is a must.
not sure about public

 

[ShawnOne]

The parental information is to obtain HPSL (health professions student loan) and Perkins Loans. Some schools do not offer these loans at all, e.g. Nova, in which case parental info is not needed. Other schools like USC do offer these loans (and for good reason considering the tuition), in which case you should provide parental info.

 

[dr_benj]

It won't hurt you at all to include it...but could hurt you if you don't include it.

 

[Jack Worthing]

What if your parents are well to do? Then you probably wouldn't get HPSL anyway... Wouldn't that kind of "hurt" your app?

Although I guess if you don't include the parents info maybe you're never in the running for it... (won't be considered). So by excluding your parents info you're excluding eligibility for some loans? I hope someone else can better research this question...

 

[spooky42]

if you dont complete the parents section then you will not be eligible for teh health professions loans. If your interested in those then you have to complete that section.

 

[Thaxil]

I have no problem filling out the parental info; however, my case is a different. I have lost contact with my father for a number of years, and thus know nothing as to what he is making. I can make a few assumptions. Is is o.k. to estimate. Also, for my mothers income; she is married. Do I need to included the money my stepfather makes? I would hate to ask my stepfather to pay for some of my expenses.

 

[tkc]

At my NYU interview, when they reviewed the financial aid info, they said to fill out your parents info no matter what. The woman said she could not stress this enough. Even if you are married and have been living on your own for some time. They need this info in order to process your app properly.

 

[drPheta]

Most schools say to put it down anyway. They will use all information to get you as much money as possible. So, if your parents are well off, then they will disregard their info and get you funding as if you never even included your parents info.

This is what every school I interviewed at told me. If you still aren't sure, call up the financial aid office. They know practically everything you need to know about applying for aid.

 

[ckow]

Thanks for all the information everybody! I really appreciate it!

 

[sxr71]

Originally posted by Thaxil
I have no problem filling out the parental info; however, my case is a different. I have lost contact with my father for a number of years, and thus know nothing as to what he is making. I can make a few assumptions. Is is o.k. to estimate. Also, for my mothers income; she is married. Do I need to included the money my stepfather makes? I would hate to ask my stepfather to pay for some of my expenses.

In your case, I understand that you will have to show that you have no contact with your father at all, and they will accept just your mom's info. This is just info that they require to award you a loan. This does not put your parents on the line at all. From what I have been given to understand everybody gets the HSPL no matter what their parents make.

Think of it more as a formality to get those extra loans (as someone mentioned not all schools require this info as not all schools provide HSPLs). It is strongly to your advantage to take a HSPL instead of having to go to a private lender since the rates are to your advantage.

Of course all this applies only if the school you attend costs more than the $38,500 that the Stafford loans cover. I doubt that you'd even be asking this question if the school you are considering doesn't cost more than that to attend, as schools whose costs are covered by stafford loans shouldn't be asking for parents' info.

 

[PERFECT3435]

i think that jessica, shawnone, and Dr. Benj are ll right on the $$.


if there is any doubts, you guys should call the school's financial aid advisors.
good luck everyone.

 

[vishal_k32801]

I called UOP...they do not need parental info on student FAFSA.

All the best guys!