Official 2006 FAFSA Thread

[TracksuitsRock]

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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.

If you are certain you will not receive need-based aid as a result of your parents' financial situation, I think it puts you at a disadvantage to include their information. The reason is that including their information on FAFSA means you will receive little or no federal grants or subsidized loans, in addition to no institutional aid. If you don't include parental information on FAFSA, at least you will get great federal/state aid. Many schools have separate financial aid applications so that you can leave parental information off FAFSA and still include it for the particular school, just in case they will award you aid.

Merit scholarships are independent of need and will not be affected by your financial information.

 

[tigress]

If you are certain you will not receive need-based aid as a result of your parents' financial situation, I think it puts you at a disadvantage to include their information. The reason is that including their information on FAFSA means you will receive little or no federal grants or subsidized loans, in addition to no institutional aid. If you don't include parental information on FAFSA, at least you will get great federal/state aid. Many schools have separate financial aid applications so that you can leave parental information off FAFSA and still include it for the particular school, just in case they will award you aid.

Merit scholarships are independent of need and will not be affected by your financial information.

I actually don't think that's true. Because the federal government considers me independent, they do not even consider parental info when deciding what federal aid I can receive. So I'll get the same subsidized and unsubsidized Perkins and all that as everybody else (assuming my own income from working isn't too high). At least that's how I understand it. If this is not the case, I certainly will leave parental info off.

 

[TracksuitsRock]

I actually don't think that's true. Because the federal government considers me independent, they do not even consider parental info when deciding what federal aid I can receive. So I'll get the same subsidized and unsubsidized Perkins and all that as everybody else (assuming my own income from working isn't too high). At least that's how I understand it. If this is not the case, I certainly will leave parental info off.

Ohhh that is interesting. I will look into this. Thanks!

 

[zook]

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.

Thanks, I just checked it out, and it was really informative. I recommend anyone else curious about detailed financial stuff to go check out the non-traditional forum. A lot of them have more experience with money (one's apparently a CPA), and it'll also make you realize how much they have to sacrifice (financial stability, established careers, families, etc.) to do what we're doing. And you think we had it rough! 😉

 

[OSUdoc08]

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?

On the accounts question, it says "do not include financial aid"

Since the amount of financial aid I have recieved exceeds the amount in my bank account, they have no way or proving or disproving that the money in my account is from the financial aid directly desposited into said account.

 

[macadamianut]

I found this on the FAFSA website about adding more schools:
If I want to apply to more than six schools, what do I do?
You can only select up to six schools at a time to receive your application information. Once you receive the processed SAR(Student Aid Report), you can:

Go to the Corrections on the Web and add more schools by submitting a correction to your FAFSA information. You need your PIN for this option. If you make further corrections after adding the new schools, the schools you entered on the original FAFSA will not receive these corrections.

Or

Contact Customer Service

 

[Doctor Bagel]

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 😛

from my experience, w2s will be showing up in a few weeks. also, sort of good news, but i've heard you have to earn a ton of money to not qualify for the full $8500 of subsidized staffords.

 

[TracksuitsRock]

I don't know if they fixed the problem in general (but doubt it since it is 9 PM on a federal holiday) but I was able to save my application. The other times, I had kept selecting "yes" when asked if I wanted to electronically sign my application. This was asked before I had even started working on it. This time I selected "no" and was able to save.

Who knows if they are related, but those of you who are having trouble (messer?) may want to try

 

[SmokeyBear]

You can save the application if you also choose to sign in with your pin I just did it

 

[DolfinGrl11]

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?

Glad my post helped! While we are now going to be "independent students" officially, to the government anyway, most schools will not consider you for their own aid (scholarships, grants, etc.) unless you provide familial information. However, you don't have to be perfect here - my parents divorced when I was 5 so I only put my mom's info. since she is the only one I can get info. for. They are cool about that kind of stuff. For government aid, it shouldn't make a big deal if you put the 'rents down or not since, as an ind. student by age and schooling, you should qualify for pretty much all of the federal aid available.

 

[aspiringdoctor]

Should we go back to add more schools (correct on web after SAR processed) now or should we wait until we update the tax information to go back and add more school?

 

[crazy_cavalier]

The 2006-2007 "school year" starts in August 2006 and extends to June 2007. Since all of us are filling out FAFSA as students who anticipate medical school in the 2006-2007 school year, the answer to the following question:

At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?

is yes.

Correct?

Therefore, none of us have to submit Parent information. (i.e., we are not *required* to submit parent info.)

Is this correct?

 

[KevinZ]

The 2006-2007 "school year" starts in August 2006 and extends to June 2007. Since all of us are filling out FAFSA as students who anticipate medical school in the 2006-2007 school year, the answer to the following question:

At the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?

is yes.

Correct?

Therefore, none of us have to submit Parent information. (i.e., we are not *required* to submit parent info.)

Is this correct?

I think a lot of the posts above address this issue, so it might be helpful to check them again to catch a lot of the nuances of the system.

You're correct in your assumption that you're not *required*, but some (not all) medical schools require it for institutional aid. If you ignore the parents, you can still qualify for all the federal government aid (just like you would if they were included since you're independent by answering the above question yes), but you risk being excluded from school aid. The three schools that I'm still considering all require parental information at the risk of losing institutional scholarships/aid.

 

[Hoooba]

Hey guys,

Anybody know if scholarships and monetary awards at your undergraduate institution count as income? thanks

 

[Ashanti Rock]

Hey guys,

Anybody know if scholarships and monetary awards at your undergraduate institution count as income? thanks

I never listed them all four years of undergrad and so far no problems with the IRS.

 

[WhatUpDoc!]

I never listed them all four years of undergrad and so far no problems with the IRS.

Same here 👍

 

[aumed22]

Here's a question. I'm a full-time student, but I have had a part time job teaching for Kaplan over the last year. I've only made about 2,500 dollars over the last year from teaching, and when I get my paycheck, there is an automatic deduction for federal income, state income, medicare and social security. So, do I have to wait for my W2's or do I just fill out FAFSA like I don't have a job?

 

[Ashanti Rock]

Here's a question. I'm a full-time student, but I have had a part time job teaching for Kaplan over the last year. I've only made about 2,500 dollars over the last year from teaching, and when I get my paycheck, there is an automatic deduction for federal income, state income, medicare and social security. So, do I have to wait for my W2's or do I just fill out FAFSA like I don't have a job?

You might as well wait for your w2's to file your fafsa. Cuz if you fill it out now as if you were not employed, you will have to file a correction later, and some schools request copies of your w2's so eventually they will know that you had a job. Also an income of 2,500 will not really affect your determination of aid.

 

[somewhere2010]

so i filed my FAFSA and it's already been processed and sent to the schools i designated...what can i say, i'm eager to get money! anyway michigan sent out an email about their financial aid apps, and mentioned that we should not fill out the FAFSA with estimated figures. so i emailed saying i had, and it's not a problem...they just won't look at my file until i put in the actual figures. btw the email made it sound like this happens really really often, so it's ok, just kinda annoying them i guess!

 

[OSUdoc08]

You might as well wait for your w2's to file your fafsa. Cuz if you fill it out now as if you were not employed, you will have to file a correction later, and some schools request copies of your w2's so eventually they will know that you had a job. Also an income of 2,500 will not really affect your determination of aid.

I disagree. I've always estimated my income and sent in a correction later.

Since a good estimate will be adequate in determining aid, it doesn't matter if you do this.

If you wait for your W-2's you may be missing out on grants & loans that are only given to a specified amount of students.

For example, without my Perkins loan, I would not be able to afford my cost of living, but I send in my FAFSA on January 1st every year, and recieve my Perkins loan. This loan is given by the school to those that qualify and only to the first group that sent in their FAFSA.

 

[Elastase]

I disagree. I've always estimated my income and sent in a correction later.

Since a good estimate will be adequate in determining aid, it doesn't matter if you do this.

If you wait for your W-2's you may be missing out on grants & loans that are only given to a specified amount of students.

For example, without my Perkins loan, I would not be able to afford my cost of living, but I send in my FAFSA on January 1st every year, and recieve my Perkins loan. This loan is given by the school to those that qualify and only to the first group that sent in their FAFSA.

Like AshantiRock said before, some schools (UofMichigan) tell you specfically to wait for your W2s before submitting. There has to be good reason for this.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Like AshantiRock said before, some schools (UofMichigan) tell you specfically to wait for your W2s before submitting. There has to be good reason for this.

I'd be interested to know the answer to that.

Baylor & Oklahoma State accept FAFSA prior to W-2's, if estimates are provided.

I can't speak for other schools.

As a medical student, your income is irrelevant as far as aid is concerned, because you will obvioulsy not be working while in school.

Therefore there is absolutely no reason that W-2's need to even be considered when tabulating financial aid for you.

As a result, it is very questionable why a school such a Michigan would require this.

 

[Elastase]

I'd be interested to know the answer to that.

Baylor & Oklahoma State accept FAFSA prior to W-2's, if estimates are provided.

I can't speak for other schools.

As a medical student, your income is irrelevant as far as aid is concerned, because you will obvioulsy not be working while in school.

Therefore there is absolutely no reason that W-2's need to even be considered when tabulating financial aid for you.

As a result, it is very questionable why a school such a Michigan would require this.

Yeah, I understand about personal W2s, but I think it might be more for parental information (which is usually more involved) which Michigan and all the UCs require to get financial aid (to get scholarships/grants).

 

[tigress]

I'd be interested to know the answer to that.

Baylor & Oklahoma State accept FAFSA prior to W-2's, if estimates are provided.

I can't speak for other schools.

As a medical student, your income is irrelevant as far as aid is concerned, because you will obvioulsy not be working while in school.

Therefore there is absolutely no reason that W-2's need to even be considered when tabulating financial aid for you.

As a result, it is very questionable why a school such a Michigan would require this.

Ah, yes, but see, we aren't medical students yet! A lot of us are working this year. So our w2s ARE important. I'd say a significant percentage of first year medical students worked the year before. Waiting for tax information before completing the FAFSA may not make sense if you had no income, but it makes a ton of sense if you were working full time.

Also, do people seriously think that sending in the FAFSA on February 1st will put you out of the running for certain kinds of aid? That's ridiculous. Sorry to be harsh, but it's true. Most people don't get their FAFSAs in until quite a bit later than that. In fact, my husband never got his in nearly as early as even that, and he always gets the full amount of federal aid, including Perkins and everything. Any time in February is still early. This is like saying you have to send in AMCAS on the first possible day or you don't have a shot at getting in. Sure, there are reasonable time limits, but let's not go overboard here.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Ah, yes, but see, we aren't medical students yet! A lot of us are working this year. So our w2s ARE important. I'd say a significant percentage of first year medical students worked the year before. Waiting for tax information before completing the FAFSA may not make sense if you had no income, but it makes a ton of sense if you were working full time.

Also, do people seriously think that sending in the FAFSA on February 1st will put you out of the running for certain kinds of aid? That's ridiculous. Sorry to be harsh, but it's true. Most people don't get their FAFSAs in until quite a bit later than that. In fact, my husband never got his in nearly as early as even that, and he always gets the full amount of federal aid, including Perkins and everything. Any time in February is still early. This is like saying you have to send in AMCAS on the first possible day or you don't have a shot at getting in. Sure, there are reasonable time limits, but let's not go overboard here.

You obviously didn't read my previous post.

1. The financial aid for your first year of medical school is INDEPENDENT of all earnings prior to matriculation. These figures are irrelevant.

2. Just because your husband got a Perkins, doesn't mean EVERYONE that sends in their FAFSA later will.

 

[tigress]

You obviously didn't read my previous post.

1. The financial aid for your first year of medical school is INDEPENDENT of all earnings prior to matriculation. These figures are irrelevant.

2. Just because your husband got a Perkins, doesn't mean EVERYONE that sends in their FAFSA later will.

And what I'm telling you is that this isn't true, to the best of my knowledge. Federal financial aid is based on your income and net worth. Income IS included. Now perhaps institutional aid doesn't take that into account, but federal aid does. If I'm wrong, point me to where it says so, and I'll stand corrected.

Also, I agree that not everybody will get Perkins. That will be entirely up to the federal government, and based on financial need. But you have no less chance of getting it if you submit in February than you do if you submit on January 1st.

edit: I also want to point out that after reading your last two posts, I don't see anywhere where you said that financial aid is independent of earnings prior to matriculation. All you said was that as a med student you don't make any money, so it won't matter for financial aid. I certainly would have responded to your above claim (which may or may not be true) if I'd known that's what you meant.

 

[OSUdoc08]

And what I'm telling you is that this isn't true, to the best of my knowledge. Federal financial aid is based on your income and net worth. Income IS included. Now perhaps institutional aid doesn't take that into account, but federal aid does. If I'm wrong, point me to where it says so, and I'll stand corrected.

Also, I agree that not everybody will get Perkins. That will be entirely up to the federal government, and based on financial need. But you have no less chance of getting it if you submit in February than you do if you submit on January 1st.

edit: I also want to point out that after reading your last two posts, I don't see anywhere where you said that financial aid is independent of earnings prior to matriculation. All you said was that as a med student you don't make any money, so it won't matter for financial aid. I certainly would have responded to your above claim (which may or may not be true) if I'd known that's what you meant.

You're straight out wrong. As a medical student, the federal government considers your income to be zero. Prior to my first year, I worked full time. I still recieved maximum aid to include Perkins and full sub & unsub Stafford. If you make $100,000 or didn't work at all, you will be eligible for maximum loans as a medical student because the federal government assumes you will quit your job prior to matriculation.

As far as the Perkins, they are handed out first come, first serve. The date you submit is does not matter if you are 1 person over the limit.

 

[TracksuitsRock]

I wonder if anyone is super IRS knowledge-worthy and can help me with some FAFSA confusion. One of my schools wants me to fill it out ASAP and estimate tax figures, which is fine, except I sold some stock from a mutual fund this year and am confused about my eligibility to file 1040A.

As far as I can tell, selling stock does not automatically mean you have capital gain distributions. If I filed a 1040A last year while holding the stock, is it pretty safe to say that I will be eligible to file 1040A again this year after selling it? In other words, how do I know if I have to file a Schedule D for capital gains? Or is this "eligible to file 1040" field something that I will be able to change on the FAFSA correction form?

Any advice will help! Thanks.

 

[p00psicleSTICK]

Can you apply for FAFSA as a non-citizen/resident of the US? What if I'm Canadian?

 

[BerkeleyMD]

Bump!

Took me forever to find this thread.

 

[BerkeleyMD]

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 😛

Are you going to include your parents info even if it'll hurt your chances of getting more aid? It seems like a catch 22, the schools want parental info, but being independant helps.

 

[tigress]

Are you going to include your parents info even if it'll hurt your chances of getting more aid? It seems like a catch 22, the schools want parental info, but being independant helps.

Yeah, well, it can't actually HURT me to include their info. It just might be a waste of time. Because I'll get the full federal aid independent of my parents. If I don't include their info I won't be considered for instutional aid, but if I do I probably won't get any because they do pretty well. I may include it just in case, though, since it can't hurt.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

Can you apply for FAFSA as a non-citizen/resident of the US? What if I'm Canadian?

You will get no federal aid. However, fill out the FAFSA regardless. This is for institutional purposes.

 

[gdbaby]

Yeah, well, it can't actually HURT me to include their info. It just might be a waste of time. Because I'll get the full federal aid independent of my parents. If I don't include their info I won't be considered for instutional aid, but if I do I probably won't get any because they do pretty well. I may include it just in case, though, since it can't hurt.

When I called Iowa about this, the financial aid director stated that students seeking an M.D. will be treated as independents regardless of whether or not family info is submitted.

 

[tigress]

When I called Iowa about this, the financial aid director stated that students seeking an M.D. will be treated as independents regardless of whether or not family info is submitted.

Yeah, that's always true for federal aid. Most schools (not all, but the vast majority) require family info for institutional-based aid, including need-based grants and loans. Some schools have more of this available than others. Also, QofQuimica has said that there may be an exception at some schools for applicants over a certain age.

 

[isobel]

ok, i looked through the thread and i dont think this has been specifically answered... sorry that it's such a basic question but i've never had to deal with this crazy FAFSA before.

i'm pretty sure there is no way in hell i'm gonna get aid from schools since my parents and well off. pretty sure the government won't give aid either, which is fine since other people need it more.

i still need to fill out the FAFSA to get that government loan that has nothing to do with need, right? the Stafford one? and whether i fill out parental info doesn't matter since the govt will consider me independent? do i have to fill this out soon or can it wait since i'm not applying for institutional aid with limited funds?

 

[OSUdoc08]

ok, i looked through the thread and i dont think this has been specifically answered... sorry that it's such a basic question but i've never had to deal with this crazy FAFSA before.

i'm pretty sure there is no way in hell i'm gonna get aid from schools since my parents and well off. pretty sure the government won't give aid either, which is fine since other people need it more.

i still need to fill out the FAFSA to get that government loan that has nothing to do with need, right? the Stafford one? and whether i fill out parental info doesn't matter since the govt will consider me independent? do i have to fill this out soon or can it wait since i'm not applying for institutional aid with limited funds?

You DO NOT need to fill out parental information for Stafford or Perkins loans.

 

[princessd3]

I worked full time this year. My dad wants to file for me on his tax return so that he will get back more money. In other words I would file 0 and he would add an extra dependant. I am independant as far as FASFA is concerned. Would this mess me up for med school loans???? I am really uneasy about him doing this. I want to file my own taxes but it would sound better if I tell him that he can't because of med school. So is this the case?

 

[isobel]

You DO NOT need to fill out parental information for Stafford or Perkins loans.

righto, that's what i was pretty much saying.

most people are rushing to finish FAFSA by Feb because they want aid from schools, right? if i know i'm not getting aid, just loans, i can wait?

 

[ShyRem]

I worked full time this year. My dad wants to file for me on his tax return so that he will get back more money. In other words I would file 0 and he would add an extra dependant. I am independant as far as FASFA is concerned. Would this mess me up for med school loans???? I am really uneasy about him doing this. I want to file my own taxes but it would sound better if I tell him that he can't because of med school. So is this the case?

This may very well mess you up.. but even if it wouldn't, tell him it would. If he claims you as a dependent, you probably won't get your refund this year since you won't be able to claim yourself as an exemption.

 

[isobel]

This may very well mess you up.. but even if it wouldn't, tell him it would. If he claims you as a dependent, you probably won't get your refund this year since you won't be able to claim yourself as an exemption.

my boyfriend's dad did this to him. my boyfriend has been pretty much independent since he went to college because he doesn't like to be a burden, but for last year's taxes, his dad put him down as a dependant to save money. he didn't tell my boyfriend so he filed as an independent. of course, a few months later he gets a notice saying that he has been claimed as a dependant and owes 600 dollars in taxes.... argh. still angry. i think his dad should pay this but he doesn't want to make his dad pay it.

 

[OSUdoc08]

my boyfriend's dad did this to him. my boyfriend has been pretty much independent since he went to college because he doesn't like to be a burden, but for last year's taxes, his dad put him down as a dependant to save money. he didn't tell my boyfriend so he filed as an independent. of course, a few months later he gets a notice saying that he has been claimed as a dependant and owes 600 dollars in taxes.... argh. still angry. i think his dad should pay this but he doesn't want to make his dad pay it.

Same thing happened to me. I just found out last week.

 

[OSUdoc08]

righto, that's what i was pretty much saying.

most people are rushing to finish FAFSA by Feb because they want aid from schools, right? if i know i'm not getting aid, just loans, i can wait?

You could. How do you know you're not getting aid if you don't fill out your FAFSA, though?

 

[isobel]

You could. How do you know you're not getting aid if you don't fill out your FAFSA, though?

well, guess i don't know for sure but it's need based, right? as i said before, my parents are pretty well off. can you get aid if you don't really need it? seems a bit unlikely and unfair.

 

[OSUdoc08]

well, guess i don't know for sure but it's need based, right? as i said before, my parents are pretty well off. can you get aid if you don't really need it? seems a bit unlikely and unfair.

You are considered an independent with a zero income when you enter medical school, regardless of your parents. You may be eligible for aid anyway, so don't assume anything.

 

[isobel]

You are considered an independent with a zero income when you enter medical school, regardless of your parents. You may be eligible for aid anyway, so don't assume anything.

as i understand it, schools consider you dependent (for the most part) and the government considers you indepedendant. i was talking about institutional aid because my question remains from my very first post - if i'm only looking for govt loans and money, i don't need to rush to do this in feb, right?

 

[OSUdoc08]

as i understand it, schools consider you dependent (for the most part) and the government considers you indepedendant. i was talking about institutional aid because my question remains from my very first post - if i'm only looking for govt loans and money, i don't need to rush to do this in feb, right?

The school determines who recieves the Perkins loans and who does not (not the government.)

For this aid, you are considered independent. If you get your FAFSA in later than others, you may not recieve the limited Perkins funds.

(For example, my school gives Perkins to out-of-state student first, but if there are still some funds left, they will give them to in-state students first come, first served.)

 

[isobel]

The school determines who recieves the Perkins loans and who does not (not the government.)

For this aid, you are considered independent. If you get your FAFSA in later than others, you may not recieve the limited Perkins funds.

(For example, my school gives Perkins to out-of-state student first, but if there are still some funds left, they will give them to in-state students first come, first served.)

aha. okay then, i'll get cracking on this thing. thanks.

 

[angietron3000]

my boyfriend's dad did this to him. my boyfriend has been pretty much independent since he went to college because he doesn't like to be a burden, but for last year's taxes, his dad put him down as a dependant to save money. he didn't tell my boyfriend so he filed as an independent. of course, a few months later he gets a notice saying that he has been claimed as a dependant and owes 600 dollars in taxes.... argh. still angry. i think his dad should pay this but he doesn't want to make his dad pay it.

my dad did the same thing a few years ago, but he asked my permission first and paid me the difference, it's only fair!

 

[CruiseLover]

I have been accepted to an instate school in Ohio. They state very clearly that you MUST include your parents info to be considered for any type of scholarship or aid from their school. My parents do pretty well, but hopefully they will not look at that information for the merit based scholarships. So please look at your individual schools when evaluating these posts.