new to financial aid - what do i do?

[No Egrets]

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I have never filled out FAFSA, as my parents paid for college in cash. I know so little that I don't even know where to begin when browsing the Fin Aid forum.

Where do I start?

When I was applying to college, I was advised not to even bother with FAFSA because there was little likelihood I would get anything.

Now with the prospect of four more years at $30,000+ (and one more college student in the house, if that makes a diff), I've heard that it might now be worth my while.

Should I just start out by filling the online FAFSA? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jlee9531]

yes filling out the online fafsa is all you really need to do for financial aid. make sure if you havent already get a pin number to log into the site.

fill it out. take a look at it. have someone else take a look at it like your parents. and then submit it before march to be safe.

 

[DoctorDoom]

Your school's financial aid office should be of help as well. Don't be shy, that's what they are there for, to answer questions!

 

[G_Eagle]

Where did you go to undergrad that your parents could pay in cash?

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
Where did you go to undergrad that your parents could pay in cash?

haha...there are some people fortunate enough to have that...

i was surprised when i went to my vermont interview day and had the financial aid talk that there are several students who graduate with no debt whatsoever...

i think all of our jaws dropped when we heard that.

 

[No Egrets]

Originally posted by G_Eagle
Where did you go to undergrad that your parents could pay in cash?

well by "cash" i meant check... i don't think it's that unusual. it's not like they walked up to the main office and laid down a bulging burlap sack with a big $ on the side.

 

[DoctorDoom]

Originally posted by No Egrets
well by "cash" i meant check... i don't think it's that unusual. it's not like they walked up to the main office and laid down a bulging burlap sack with a big $ on the side.

Actually... that's pretty uncommon in my experience. Unless you went to a public university and you were charged in-state tuition, or some other comparable situation. I just finished paying off my college debt... just $90K of med school debt left to go...

Burlap sack... hilarious imagery...

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by No Egrets
well by "cash" i meant check... i don't think it's that unusual. it's not like they walked up to the main office and laid down a bulging burlap sack with a big $ on the side.

thanks you made my day.