Official 2006 FAFSA Thread

[SpeedRacer]

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here you go.

 

[Overeducated]

The schools I've interviewed at all said you need to include your parents' information to even be considered for scholarships. What I want to know is do we send the FAFSA info to schools we're waiting to hear back from, or just the schools were we've interviewed/been accepted?

You do include the schools you haven't heard from yet also. What I wonder about though is how many schools you are able to include total because it's my understanding that it's limited to a certain number.

 

[WhatUpDoc!]

Filling mine out right now!!! I think everyone else is too cuz the sight is buggin

 

[QofQuimica]

You do include the schools you haven't heard from yet also. What I wonder about though is how many schools you are able to include total because it's my understanding that it's limited to a certain number.

My understanding is that you are limited to six schools.

 

[potato51]

If you don't already have one, apply for a FAFSA PIN number if you don't already have one and if you wish to sign your form electronically. http://www.pin.ed.gov

 

[WhatUpDoc!]

Anyone having trouble saving their fafsa? I get a database maintenance error everytime I hit the save button 😕

 

[tigress]

Don't you have to have all of your 2005 tax info to do the FAFSA? So I don't quite get the point of doing it right now. I mean, I haven't even received my tax info from work, and my parents won't get their's for a bit either. I always file taxes early (as soon as getting W2s and all that, usually by February). But it's only January 1 😛

 

[WhatUpDoc!]

Don't you have to have all of your 2005 tax info to do the FAFSA? So I don't quite get the point of doing it right now. I mean, I haven't even received my tax info from work, and my parents won't get their's for a bit either. I always file taxes early (as soon as getting W2s and all that, usually by February). But it's only January 1 😛

The finaid rep. at my school said that the earlier you file, the more aid is available for you to pick up... therefore the advantage of appying earlier. You do not have to have your taxes done because you can enter estimates for those questions until you do file your tax forms at which point you have the opportunity to update. The earlier the form is processed though, the better chance you have to get all the money you need to cover those oh so expensive med school costs

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Don't you have to have all of your 2005 tax info to do the FAFSA? So I don't quite get the point of doing it right now. I mean, I haven't even received my tax info from work, and my parents won't get their's for a bit either. I always file taxes early (as soon as getting W2s and all that, usually by February). But it's only January 1 😛

my thoughts, too! since i don't have my w2, it seems like a waste to bother with it now. i guess you could do it if you're not including your parents' income and earned no money last year. 🙂

 

[Doctor Bagel]

The finaid rep. at my school said that the earlier you file, the more aid is available for you to pick up... therefore the advantage of appying earlier. You do not have to have your taxes done because you can enter estimates for those questions until you do file your tax forms at which point you have the opportunity to update. The earlier the form is processed though, the better chance you have to get all the money you need to cover those oh so expensive med school costs

maybe, but i don't think they meant you have to do it jan. 1. seriously, doing it feb 1 (after you've got your tax forms) would not be late by any means.

 

[WhatUpDoc!]

maybe, but i don't think they meant you have to do it jan. 1. seriously, doing it feb 1 (after you've got your tax forms) would not be late by any means.

Deadline for priority funding at my school is the end of Feb. I like to get things done and out of the way anyways because when next semester starts, filling out a lengthy gov't form will be the last thing on my mind.

 

[BooMed]

Anyone having trouble saving their fafsa? I get a database maintenance error everytime I hit the save button 😕

I can't save either. Grr... I hate doing these forms, I don't want to do it again! 😛

 

[QofQuimica]

Print out the worksheet as a PDF. You can fill it all out on paper, and that way you'll have a copy for yourself. Plus, then you can go enter the info in all at one time later on.

 

[BooMed]

Print out the worksheet as a PDF. You can fill it all out on paper, and that way you'll have a copy for yourself. Plus, then you can go enter the info in all at one time later on.

I wish I could take a taxes and forms class or something. 🙁 This stuff baffles me.

 

[princessd3]

I guess I could start if I have the figures from our last paychecks? Is that all the info you need?

 

[DolfinGrl11]

As a poor undergrad who is putting herself through school, the FAFSA is like 2nd nature to me so here are some tips in case you haven't had to do it before:

1) Wait until you get some tax forms. If your guesses are way off, you have to update it anyway and then it's just a mess. Plus, submitting it in February is not late at all! I always do it around then.

2) Be as accurate as possible and don't lie! For most schools, you have to send in copies of your tax forms (W2s, returns, etc.), as well as those of your spouse/parents, so they'll just see it all anyway.

3) If you have your forms and stuff it only takes about 20-25 minutes.

4) Apply for a pin and sign electronically! So much better and everything gets done smoother and faster.

Good luck to all!

 

[potato51]

As a poor undergrad who is putting herself through school, the FAFSA is like 2nd nature to me so here are some tips in case you haven't had to do it before:

1) Wait until you get some tax forms. If your guesses are way off, you have to update it anyway and then it's just a mess. Plus, submitting it in February is not late at all! I always do it around then.

2) Be as accurate as possible and don't lie! For most schools, you have to send in copies of your tax forms (W2s, returns, etc.), as well as those of your spouse/parents, so they'll just see it all anyway.

3) If you have your forms and stuff it only takes about 20-25 minutes.

4) Apply for a pin and sign electronically! So much better and everything gets done smoother and faster.

Good luck to all!

Thanks for the advice. Some of my deadlines are very early February, so I hope my tax forms comes in on time.

One question though - I've been out of undergrad for several years and am independent from my parents and don't intend on relying on them for any med school funding or help at all. Am I really required to add their information for any reason?

 

[FrankGK]

Similar question to the previous post...one of the parts of the FAFSA form says if you are applying for graduate school (medical school included), then you do not need to include your parents' info, however at all of my interviews I was told that I do have to include my parents' info, so does anyone know what this works? Do you or don't you need to put your parents information in the form?

 

[Lorrayne]

Thanks for the advice. Some of my deadlines are very early February, so I hope my tax forms comes in on time.

One question though - I've been out of undergrad for several years and am independent from my parents and don't intend on relying on them for any med school funding or help at all. Am I really required to add their information for any reason?

Haha... I love your new avatar! I have the same question as well. Out of school 5 years, married, etc... Different schools probably have different policies for their aid, but as far as the federal aid goes, I don't think you have to submit parents' tax forms.

 

[QofQuimica]

I answered this question on the other FAFSA thread....if you are over age 30, some medical schools will consider you independent for institutional financial aid. You should ask at the school(s) you are coding on your FAFSA. If a school does not recognize you as independent, and if you do not choose to give your parental info, you will still be able to get gov. loans. But you will probably be ineligible for institutional financial aid.

 

[macadamianut]

Similar question to the previous post...one of the parts of the FAFSA form says if you are applying for graduate school (medical school included), then you do not need to include your parents' info, however at all of my interviews I was told that I do have to include my parents' info, so does anyone know what this works? Do you or don't you need to put your parents information in the form?

Ya, I put the parents' information anyways.

 

[BaylorGuy]

Don't you have to have all of your 2005 tax info to do the FAFSA? So I don't quite get the point of doing it right now. I mean, I haven't even received my tax info from work, and my parents won't get their's for a bit either. I always file taxes early (as soon as getting W2s and all that, usually by February). But it's only January 1 😛

Fill it out anyway...wait for your W2s though and fill out as completely as possible and submit end of January to mid Feb. Your taxes don't necessarily have to be done and fully complete by then, but the more you have done, the easier it is. Most of the stuff on the FAFSA can be estimated and will more than likely be verified by the individual schools at a later date.

 

[FrankGK]

I answered this question on the other FAFSA thread....if you are over age 30, some medical schools will consider you independent for institutional financial aid. You should ask at the school(s) you are coding on your FAFSA. If a school does not recognize you as independent, and if you do not choose to give your parental info, you will still be able to get gov. loans. But you will probably be ineligible for institutional financial aid.

Thanks Quimica. This is probably a dumb question, but here goes...what is the difference between government loans and institutional financial aid? Is the institutional aid just from the particular school? Also, when I checked for some of the schools codes on the online FAFSA form, specific medical schools do not show up. For example, when looking for Northwestern's Medical School, the business school as well as Northwestern university (the main school in Evanston, IL) come up...do you know if there a specific code for the medical schools?

 

[medicalbound]

Similar question to the previous post...one of the parts of the FAFSA form says if you are applying for graduate school (medical school included), then you do not need to include your parents' info, however at all of my interviews I was told that I do have to include my parents' info, so does anyone know what this works? Do you or don't you need to put your parents information in the form?

Here is an excerpt from the PDF FAFSA form that is the "algorithm" for determining if you should include your parents information:

For federal student aid purposes, you must provide parent information if you answer “NO” to ALL of the following questions.
If you answer “YES” to ANY of the following questions, you do not have to provide parent information.

• Were you born before January 1, 1983?
• At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s
• As of today, are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who
• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

 

[QofQuimica]

Thanks Quimica. This is probably a dumb question, but here goes...what is the difference between government loans and institutional financial aid? Is the institutional aid just from the particular school? Also, when I checked for some of the schools codes on the online FAFSA form, specific medical schools do not show up. For example, when looking for Northwestern's Medical School, the business school as well as Northwestern university (the main school in Evanston, IL) come up...do you know if there a specific code for the medical schools?

Yes, institutional aid is from that particular school. So if you're applying to Northwestern, and you are under age 30 (or of any age, if Northwestern doesn't grant independence to older students), you will probably be ineligible for loans and grants awarded by the SCHOOL if you don't provide parental info. But you can still receive Stafford and other loans awarded by the GOVERNMENT regardless of whether you provide parental info. In other words, the gov. considers you independent once you earn your BA or BS, but the medical schools often do not, especially if you are under age 30. For those of you in your twenties who are married, you should still double check your status with each school, because you might still not be considered independent even though you are married.

I didn't apply to Northwestern, so I don't know what their code is. If you've interviewed there, they probably gave it to you in your interview packet with their financial aid info. Otherwise, I suggest that you email the school and ask them for the code, or look for it on their website. If you ask someone, make sure to specify that you are applying to the med school. I think that some med schools may just use one university-wide code, while others have special codes just for their med schools. But if you're in doubt, ask, b/c you don't want to give the wrong code and send your financial aid info to the wrong place.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Don't you have to have all of your 2005 tax info to do the FAFSA? So I don't quite get the point of doing it right now. I mean, I haven't even received my tax info from work, and my parents won't get their's for a bit either. I always file taxes early (as soon as getting W2s and all that, usually by February). But it's only January 1 😛

No. You do not need your 2005 tax info. Estimate your income and taxes based on the previous year and submit a "FAFSA correction" later when you get the accurate information.

As a medical student, your income will be irrelevant, and so specific figures will not be neccessary.

I have filled out a FAFSA prior to recieved taxes for the past 6 years.

If you wait until you recieve your taxes, you may be missing out on some financial aid opportunities that are offered to a limited amount of people.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Similar question to the previous post...one of the parts of the FAFSA form says if you are applying for graduate school (medical school included), then you do not need to include your parents' info, however at all of my interviews I was told that I do have to include my parents' info, so does anyone know what this works? Do you or don't you need to put your parents information in the form?

Parental information is optional, and you only need to add it for schools that use this information to consider financial aid.

I have not included my parental information with my FAFSA for the past 2 years, and I recieve the maximum amount of aid.

 

[PedsDr2012]

Here is an excerpt from the PDF FAFSA form that is the "algorithm" for determining if you should include your parents information:

For federal student aid purposes, you must provide parent information if you answer “NO” to ALL of the following questions.
If you answer “YES” to ANY of the following questions, you do not have to provide parent information.

• Were you born before January 1, 1983?
• At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s
• As of today, are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who
• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

thanks...very helpful!

 

[medicalbound]

thanks...very helpful!

You are ever so welcome!

p.s. I love your name and avatar!

 

[macadamianut]

The question I have is how do you go over the 6 school limit on the FAFSA? Is everyone submitting their information to schools to which they've been accepted as well as to schools where a decision is pending?

 

[FrankGK]

thanks everyone, this info really helps a lot. best of luck to everyone in 2006!

 

[C.P. Jones]

for those of us working full-time and *hopefully* going to med school.....so the fafsa would say i'm making X dollars...or have X dollars. do the school fin aid offices realize that it's obvious this money will soon be gone and/or i will not be making any money....or is there some special form to fill out (specifically asking b/c i remember someone mentioning a form for "special circumstances" in future loss of income....but idk if i may just be making this memory up 😛 )

 

[KevinZ]

Maybe I'm misreading something, but for those turning it in early, where does it say that it's acceptable to ballpark the amount of 2005 income tax?

 

[C.P. Jones]

Maybe I'm misreading something, but for those turning it in early, where does it say that it's acceptable to ballpark the amount of 2005 income tax?

it says you can estimate it for now....i see no point in doing that and will be waiting til i do my taxes since you'll have to send the fafsa correction anyway...and then the fin aid office will have to look at it again

 

[SmokeyBear]

Argggggggggh, I can't save my work! Anyone else having this problem? Guess I am starting over again.......................... 🙁

 

[BooMed]

I couldn't save either. 🙁

Thank you thank you thank to everyone who is posting on here with help!

I have two questions--do we have to say how much is in our bank accounts? I am getting married before med school and the amount of money that is will be in my account after that will be quite a bit lower than it is currently.

Also, is it better or worse or no difference to enter your parent's information? My parents are really poor.

 

[PedsDr2012]

Here is an excerpt from the PDF FAFSA form that is the "algorithm" for determining if you should include your parents information:

For federal student aid purposes, you must provide parent information if you answer “NO” to ALL of the following questions.
If you answer “YES” to ANY of the following questions, you do not have to provide parent information.

• Were you born before January 1, 1983?
• At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s
• As of today, are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who
• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

I am currently working on my FAFSA Renewal, and I saw this same information. I also saw a little more that I thought I would share:

For federal student financial aid purposes, you are considered independent if you can answer Yes to any of the following questions:

Were you born before January 1, 1983?
At the beginning of the school year 2006-2007, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, Ph.D., Ed.D., graduate certificate, etc.)?
As of today, are you married?
Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
Do you have dependents other than your children or spouse who live with you and who received more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2007?
Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
If you are identified as an independent student, your school may ask you to verify the answers to some or all of the questions above, before you can receive federal student aid. If you are a health profession student , you may be required to provide information about your parents, even though you are an independent student. If you are not sure if your course of study is considered a health profession program, contact the school's financial aid office.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I couldn't save either. 🙁

Thank you thank you thank to everyone who is posting on here with help!

I have two questions--do we have to say how much is in our bank accounts? I am getting married before med school and the amount of money that is will be in my account after that will be quite a bit lower than it is currently.

Also, is it better or worse or no difference to enter your parent's information? My parents are really poor.

i think you have to disclose what's in your bank account right now, but you can contact the school and explain that that money will be gone. the same thing works for the question above about those of us working fulltime right now. you disclose it but let the school know (actually, they probably already know) that that money won't be there once we quit our jobs.

if your parents are poor, you've got nothing to lose by entering their info.

 

[zook]

i think you have to disclose what's in your bank account right now, but you can contact the school and explain that that money will be gone. the same thing works for the question above about those of us working fulltime right now. you disclose it but let the school know (actually, they probably already know) that that money won't be there once we quit our jobs.

if your parents are poor, you've got nothing to lose by entering their info.

Do you have to disclose IRAs as well? A couple of summers ago, I saved up some money and started an IRA, but I don't think I'm allowed to touch it for a pretty long time. It seems like there's a variety of backgrounds on this board. Anyone an accountant or financial aid officer?

 

[OSUdoc08]

Maybe I'm misreading something, but for those turning it in early, where does it say that it's acceptable to ballpark the amount of 2005 income tax?

I've done it for 6 years now (I always fill out my FAFSA on January 1st.) They don't need the precise information anyway, but you can send a "FAFSA correction" later on if you feel the need.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I couldn't save either. 🙁

Thank you thank you thank to everyone who is posting on here with help!

I have two questions--do we have to say how much is in our bank accounts? I am getting married before med school and the amount of money that is will be in my account after that will be quite a bit lower than it is currently.

Also, is it better or worse or no difference to enter your parent's information? My parents are really poor.

1. Put $0 in your account. I always do.

2. Put your parents information. You may qualify for more aid.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Do you have to disclose IRAs as well? A couple of summers ago, I saved up some money and started an IRA, but I don't think I'm allowed to touch it for a pretty long time. It seems like there's a variety of backgrounds on this board. Anyone an accountant or financial aid officer?

My understanding is no, you don't have to disclose it -- I don't even think there's a question about it on the fafsa. In fact, there's a thread about exactly this in the nontrad forum. Actually, it's a cool thread because there's a discussion about ways to use your ira for educational expenses without penalties, too.

 

[C.P. Jones]

1. Put $0 in your account. I always do.

i've always put an amount close to whatever i do have since wouldn't putting zero down be very obvious....and lead them to check this out....and assuming you really have 1K, could you get in trouble?

also, isn't there some income protection, like 3000 dollars or something that one can have in their account that cannot be touched?

 

[Pewl]

Why do they limit you to 6 schools? How do most people know, this early on, which schools to indicate?

 

[Ashanti Rock]

No. You do not need your 2005 tax info. Estimate your income and taxes based on the previous year and submit a "FAFSA correction" later when you get the accurate information.

As a medical student, your income will be irrelevant, and so specific figures will not be neccessary.

I have filled out a FAFSA prior to recieved taxes for the past 6 years.

If you wait until you recieve your taxes, you may be missing out on some financial aid opportunities that are offered to a limited amount of people.

Some schools specifically tell you to wait until you've filed your taxes before you fill out fin. aid info (UMICH for instance). Also a lot of schools will not consider you eligible for institutional scholarships etc, if you don't report your parents income. Schools that don't require this information will not count it against you.

 

[Ashanti Rock]

Why do they limit you to 6 schools? How do most people know, this early on, which schools to indicate?

Is there a way to add extra schools and pay an additional fee for the schools? I thought I heard this somewhere? Anyone else heard about this?

 

[unicorn06]

You forgot this important part:

You are considered a health profession student if you are applying for federal student aid from graduate programs authorized under Title VII of the Public Health Service Act. You must give information about your parents, even if you answered Yes to one of the questions above. If are unsure whether your course of study is considered a health profession program, you should contact the school’s financial aid office. If your school requires parental information, you must complete the parental portions of this application.

I assume med students are health profession students...

Here is an excerpt from the PDF FAFSA form that is the "algorithm" for determining if you should include your parents information:

For federal student aid purposes, you must provide parent information if you answer “NO” to ALL of the following questions.
If you answer “YES” to ANY of the following questions, you do not have to provide parent information.

• Were you born before January 1, 1983?
• At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s
• As of today, are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who
• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

 

[TracksuitsRock]

Is anyone else having trouble saving their work still? How did you fix the problem? I really can't work on this because nothing will save!

Thanks.

 

[Messerschmitts]

Is anyone else having trouble saving their work still? How did you fix the problem? I really can't work on this because nothing will save!

Thanks.

I can't save either! This sucks eggs! If anyone figures out a solution post it!

 

[tigress]

Parental information is optional, and you only need to add it for schools that use this information to consider financial aid.

I have not included my parental information with my FAFSA for the past 2 years, and I recieve the maximum amount of aid.

I suppose this really depends on whether your school offers a good amount of institutional aid money. If it doesn't, there may be no reason to put parental info.

I know my husband was told he had to put parental info even though he's married, and I think basically all medical schools require this. My question, though, is whether there's any point if my parents have a lot of money? My husband's parents hardly have anything, so it wasn't a big deal for him to put their info; even so, all of his loans are federal, so what was the point? In my case, my parents certainly make too much for me to be seriously considered for significant institutional aid, so is it even worth adding their info? I guess another question is whether schools will consider me for merit or other aid money without parental info.

I'm definitely not going to do the FAFSA until filing taxes. What's the point of putting in all the work now and then having to go back and fix it later? If you're a full-time student with no income to declare (and thus no taxes to file!), of course, it would make sense to go ahead and work on it. But you still have parental info to include, so you'll have to wait for them anyway, or ask them to make estimates.

Does anybody know when w2s are usually mailed? I have no clue when I'm getting mine. I looked at my year-end pay stub and realized that I'm really glad that my year of working was six months in 2005 and six months in 2006, because it puts me in a lower tax bracket, which is great for med school loans 😛