Official 2006 FAFSA Thread

[abcd1234]

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Do both are parents need to apply for a PIN to sign the application?

 

[BaylorGuy]

I know that this question has somewhat been answered, but i just wanted to make sure.

1) The information we put in the FAFSA doesn't necessarily have to be 100% accurate correct? I just got one of my W2s and tried to fill out as much info as I could, but i haven't gotten the other one yet, but would it be ok for me to estimate the amount and go ahead and submit it??

2). I know we dont have to fill our parental information since we are all considered independents, but if we choose to do so, can we estimate those values as well (considering my parents are most probably going to wait till the last minute)??

I may have questions later, but my brain is full of financial/tax junk....i dont know how CPAs could do this all day long

 

[OSUdoc08]

I know that this question has somewhat been answered, but i just wanted to make sure.

1) The information we put in the FAFSA doesn't necessarily have to be 100% accurate correct? I just got one of my W2s and tried to fill out as much info as I could, but i haven't gotten the other one yet, but would it be ok for me to estimate the amount and go ahead and submit it??

2). I know we dont have to fill our parental information since we are all considered independents, but if we choose to do so, can we estimate those values as well (considering my parents are most probably going to wait till the last minute)??

I may have questions later, but my brain is full of financial/tax junk....i dont know how CPAs could do this all day long

1) The tax information can be estimates, and you don't even need your W-2's to submit the FAFSA initially. You can always submit a correction later.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

just a heads up to people who have a pin that hasn't been used for a few years (or who had a name change or something like that) -- you may need to reapply for a pin. i got my old pin sent to me, but it wouldn't work. i called the fafsa hotline, and they mentioned that that's been an issue with some old pins. i had to totally cancel old my old pin by answering my security question the wrong way three times and then reapply for a new pin.

so test your pin before the last minute!

 

[qui1027]

does it hurt your chances to list a school in the FAFSA form prior to knowing whether or not you got into the school?

I talked to one of the accountants at my job, and she told me that since I made only $5000 for 2005, I did not have to fill out any tax forms because the minimum to file for taxes is approximately $7,900. She told me to put exempt for all of my work information. Is anyone in the same boat as me? What did you do when you were filling out your information? Will the gov't and the schools give me less aid since I am leaving those spaces blank? Thanks 🙂

 

[gdbaby]

Do both are parents need to apply for a PIN to sign the application?

No. Only if you want your parents to have access to your FAFSA (like, if they are filling out the information for you).

 

[registered user]

Bump it up!

 

[justskipee]

Ok, so I get that I should fill out the FAFSA and not include my parental information because I am considered independent by the gov't. So I can get stafford and potentially perkins loans. But when medical schools determine your eligibility for university aid and scholarships do they care about your parents income and savings? If they do, what parental info will I have to submit. My parents will not be paying for my medical school education, so when a scholarship is need based, will I have a chance?

This is so confusing to me. thanks.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Ok, so I get that I should fill out the FAFSA and not include my parental information because I am considered independent by the gov't. So I can get stafford and potentially perkins loans. But when medical schools determine your eligibility for university aid and scholarships do they care about your parents income and savings? If they do, what parental info will I have to submit. My parents will not be paying for my medical school education, so when a scholarship is need based, will I have a chance?

This is so confusing to me. thanks.

Yes, you have to fill out all the parent info if you want to be considered for institutional aid. Need-based scholarships vary by school, so if you fill out your parental info, you have a chance. If you don't, you won't.

 

[justskipee]

Yes, you have to fill out all the parent info if you want to be considered for institutional aid. Need-based scholarships vary by school, so if you fill out your parental info, you have a chance. If you don't, you won't.

Thanks, but I'm still confused what info they need. I found the link to the application for scholarships and aid for U of MN where I will be attending:

https://www.meded.umn.edu/financial/documents/Scholarship_Application.pdf

In the application it asks:

PARENT INFORMATION: (This must be completed to be considered for scholarships/grants based on exceptional financial need and/or special circumstances.) Parent contribution not reported on FAFSA _________
(i.e., tuition, car repairs, car insurance, food, cash allowance, rent assistance) Please explain: _______________________________________

Am I suppossed to put a dollar amount and then explain? Any ideas?

 

[NapeSpikes]

PARENT INFORMATION: (This must be completed to be considered for scholarships/grants based on exceptional financial need and/or special circumstances.) Parent contribution not reported on FAFSA _________
(i.e., tuition, car repairs, car insurance, food, cash allowance, rent assistance) Please explain: _______________________________________

Am I suppossed to put a dollar amount and then explain? Any ideas?

Looks like you have to answer the question. They just want to get an idea how much your parents helped you out, or if they're able to help you. Dollar amount followed by description sounds good. If it's none, put none.

 

[justskipee]

Looks like you have to answer the question. They just want to get an idea how much your parents helped you out, or if they're able to help you. Dollar amount followed by description sounds good. If it's none, put none.

Thanks for your help mr. spikes.

 

[NapeSpikes]

does it hurt your chances to list a school in the FAFSA form prior to knowing whether or not you got into the school?

I talked to one of the accountants at my job, and she told me that since I made only $5000 for 2005, I did not have to fill out any tax forms because the minimum to file for taxes is approximately $7,900. She told me to put exempt for all of my work information. Is anyone in the same boat as me? What did you do when you were filling out your information? Will the gov't and the schools give me less aid since I am leaving those spaces blank? Thanks 🙂

I don't see how filling out the fafsa before an acceptance would hurt your chances.

Although you may not HAVE to do your taxes, you may want to, if you had any taxes withheld from your paychecks. In that case, you should expect a tax refund. Either way, I doubt this would affect the amount of aid you'd get.

 

[Freakedout]

Yes, you have to fill out all the parent info if you want to be considered for institutional aid. Need-based scholarships vary by school, so if you fill out your parental info, you have a chance. If you don't, you won't.

As I understand it, in order to get perkins you cannot file as an independent.

 

[NapeSpikes]

As I understand it, in order to get perkins you cannot file as an independent.

I'm not sure if that's true, because we HAVE to file as independent. As med students, we would be considered independent, whether you include parental info or not. Parental info is used to determine eligibility for institutional need-based aid, and has no effect on federal aid (for med students).

 

[Freakedout]

I'm not sure if that's true, because we HAVE to file as independent. As med students, we would be considered independent, whether you include parental info or not. Parental info is used to determine eligibility for institutional need-based aid, and has no effect on federal aid (for med students).

Actually when I was on the interview trail, I was informed infact multiple times, that we don't have to file as independents. However if we do then we cannot be considered for certain subsizide loans (perkins). So in order to be considered for such loans you have to file as dependents and include the parental information.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Actually when I was on the interview trail, I was informed infact multiple times, that we don't have to file as independents. However if we do then we cannot be considered for certain subsizide loans (perkins). So in order to be considered for such loans you have to file as dependents and include the parental information.

Incorrect.

If you have earned a bachelor's degree, you are automatically an independent. You cannot change your status.

I applied as an independent and DID NOT include my parental information, and I recieve a Perkins every year.

 

[Freakedout]

Cool. Thanks for clearing things out.

So then the only benefits of adding parental info would be to be considered for school based aid? I am just curious as I havn't worked in the past year so as an independent I would have no income. 😕

 

[OSUdoc08]

Cool. Thanks for clearing things out.

So then the only benefits of adding parental info would be to be considered for school based aid? I am just curious as I havn't worked in the past year so as an independent I would have no income. 😕

Yes. School based aid, IF they provide it.

 

[Marcel2000]

How fast do grant money and Perkins loans funds go? By when should one file their FAFSA to have a reasonable chance at these funds?

 

[gdbaby]

How fast do grant money and Perkins loans funds go? By when should one file their FAFSA to have a reasonable chance at these funds?

I was told by the Financial Aid office at Iowa to fill mine out ASAP to have first consideration for all loans. You can always fill out an "update" form with your 2005 income when you get all your W2's.

 

[tigress]

I haven't even gotten my W2 yet, which is annoying. I can't really fill out the FAFSA without that info, and I wouldn't even know where to begin to estimate my parental info. I hope I can get it done in the next few weeks.

I found out from one school I've been accepted to that you cannot receive any aid, including merit or other non-need-based scholarships, without parental info. So I'm going to have to put it after all.

I'm very annoyed with my job for not getting me my W2. I wonder how I can find out when I'll get it.

 

[justskipee]

I found out from one school I've been accepted to that you cannot receive any aid, including merit or other non-need-based scholarships, without parental info. So I'm going to have to put it after all.

When you say that the school request parental info, what does that entail? Do they need records of parental income?

 

[OSUdoc08]

I haven't even gotten my W2 yet, which is annoying. I can't really fill out the FAFSA without that info, and I wouldn't even know where to begin to estimate my parental info. I hope I can get it done in the next few weeks.

I found out from one school I've been accepted to that you cannot receive any aid, including merit or other non-need-based scholarships, without parental info. So I'm going to have to put it after all.

I'm very annoyed with my job for not getting me my W2. I wonder how I can find out when I'll get it.

Yeah you can. I've done it for 7 years now.

 

[BaylorGuy]

As I understand it, in order to get perkins you cannot file as an independent.

I think you aer right on this one....Perkins as i understand it is only an undergraduate federal loan, it doesn't apply to graduate work.

My friend matriculated into a grad school this past year and was looking up all the info about this. She was looking at the Perkins loan and was told it is only for undergrad work (i think only for your 1st bachelors too).

 

[OSUdoc08]

I think you aer right on this one....Perkins as i understand it is only an undergraduate federal loan, it doesn't apply to graduate work.

My friend matriculated into a grad school this past year and was looking up all the info about this. She was looking at the Perkins loan and was told it is only for undergrad work (i think only for your 1st bachelors too).

Incorrect. I have recieved a Perkins loan for both years of medical school so far. I am also considered an independent on the FAFSA, since I earned an undergraduate degree.

 

[princessd3]

For the Fasfa you only need income for one parent right?

 

[xTiggerx]

So I emailed the admissions office at AECOM about finaid and I asked if I had to do my FAFSA asap and they emailed me back and said that they will be sending out financial aid information at the end of Feb and that there was no need for me to do the FAFSA at this time... all I needed to do was the complete my tax return and have my parents' info as well. Now... I'm REALLy confused as to whether or not I need to do this fafsa stuff yet 😕

Well, i guess i have to wait a little still since i dont have my tax stuff ready yet... any thoughts?

 

[NYMed]

So I emailed the admissions office at AECOM about finaid and I asked if I had to do my FAFSA asap and they emailed me back and said that they will be sending out financial aid information at the end of Feb and that there was no need for me to do the FAFSA at this time... all I needed to do was the complete my tax return and have my parents' info as well. Now... I'm REALLy confused as to whether or not I need to do this fafsa stuff yet 😕

Well, i guess i have to wait a little still since i dont have my tax stuff ready yet... any thoughts?

Yeah, I called AECOM and they told me the same thing. In fact, they ask you NOT to file the FAFSA until you file your taxes; they don't want people estimating. Since right now AECOM looks like my first choice, I'm just going to wait filing it for the other schools until end of Feb, when I'll file it for AECOM, so that I don't have to do it more than once. Anyone else doing that?

Also, should we be filing the FAFSA for schools where we are waitlisted?

 

[tigress]

February is still really early to file FAFSA. Don't worry about it guys. I'll probably file in February after filing taxes (I found out today that my W2s get mailed on January 31st). Actually, early March is still plenty early.

And yes, file FAFSA for schools where you are waitlisted. If you get off the waitlist in the summer and decide to go there, you'll need to have the financial info already in.

 

[TracksuitsRock]

February is still really early to file FAFSA. Don't worry about it guys. I'll probably file in February after filing taxes (I found out today that my W2s get mailed on January 31st). Actually, early March is still plenty early.

And yes, file FAFSA for schools where you are waitlisted. If you get off the waitlist in the summer and decide to go there, you'll need to have the financial info already in.

I know this is a neverending question and maybe I'm just fueling the fire, but I would actually check with your individual schools (at least the ones you are most likely to attend). I checked with a couple of mine, and while one of them said don't worry about filling it out yet, another school strongly advised me to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible with estimated numbers because of the way financial aid works at their school. So I think while in general it may be OK to wait, better safe than sorry..I know I'm glad I asked.

 

[tigress]

Yeah you can. I've done it for 7 years now.

Okay, so maybe you are able to. I can't. I don't know why you are so caustic. Just because you can do something, or something happened to you, doesn't mean we all can.

In any case, I'm not going to estimate my FAFSA. I just think that's a waste of my time. If I couldn't get the info I needed before the deadline, I would estimate. But since I know I'll have the info by February, there's no point. I'd just have to go back and put in the actual values. Many schools don't even want you to estimate (some explicitly say this; others you have to actually talk to to find out) because it just messes them up. Of the two schools I'm seriously considering, neither of them likes estimating.

Here's my recommendation: if you are going to have the information available in time to submit by mid-March, don't bother estimating, unless your school specifically tells you to.

 

[tigress]

I know this is a neverending question and maybe I'm just fueling the fire, but I would actually check with your individual schools (at least the ones you are most likely to attend). I checked with a couple of mine, and while one of them said don't worry about filling it out yet, another school strongly advised me to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible with estimated numbers because of the way financial aid works at their school. So I think while in general it may be OK to wait, better safe than sorry..I know I'm glad I asked.

That's true. It's always best to ask. Some schools get really pissed if you estimate, whereas others prefer you to go ahead and do so. In my experience lots of schools don't want you to, but it really does depend on the school.

For the sake of federal loans it doesn't really matter. But for institutional loans and/or scholarships it may make a big difference.

 

[BerkeleyMD]

February is still really early to file FAFSA. Don't worry about it guys. I'll probably file in February after filing taxes (I found out today that my W2s get mailed on January 31st). Actually, early March is still plenty early.

And yes, file FAFSA for schools where you are waitlisted. If you get off the waitlist in the summer and decide to go there, you'll need to have the financial info already in.

Is it a bad idea to add schools you are on hold for pre-interview??

I have 1 acceptance, 3 waitlists and a whole bunch of cali schools I want to go to, but haven't interviewed at.

What should I do??

 

[tigress]

Is it a bad idea to add schools you are on hold for pre-interview??

I have 1 acceptance, 3 waitlists and a whole bunch of cali schools I want to go to, but haven't interviewed at.

What should I do??

It can't hurt to add them to FAFSA up to however many schools you are allowed to add. Of course, not to sound harsh, but it's really unlikely you'll get interviews this late. 🙁

 

[BerkeleyMD]

It can't hurt to add them to FAFSA up to however many schools you are allowed to add. Of course, not to sound harsh, but it's really unlikely you'll get interviews this late. 🙁

That was harsh! Now my ego is hurt, not really...

Either way, if I score a seat in a UC I could afford to pay out of pocket anyways. I just wish we had more than 6 spaces on the FAFSA.

 

[JustBreathe]

First of all, I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. I've never filed the FAFSA before so I'm kind of lost. What I want to know is, do I have to report scholarships/grants that I received from my school somewhere on the FAFSA, like as a form of income? I'm on a full-ride, so I have lots of them.. Thanks for your help.

 

[gdbaby]

Does anyone know how long it takes schools to get your info from the government? My FAFSA was complete and processed last week, but Iowa still doesn't have it. I am not worried about it, just curious.

 

[zurned]

Yeah, I called AECOM and they told me the same thing. In fact, they ask you NOT to file the FAFSA until you file your taxes; they don't want people estimating. Since right now AECOM looks like my first choice, I'm just going to wait filing it for the other schools until end of Feb, when I'll file it for AECOM, so that I don't have to do it more than once. Anyone else doing that?

Also, should we be filing the FAFSA for schools where we are waitlisted?

Yea, I'm in the same situation. I got kind of paranoid becuase most other schools tell u to do it ASAP. I guess I'll just wait till late february also.

 

[CruiseLover]

Does anyone know how long it takes schools to get your info from the government? My FAFSA was complete and processed last week, but Iowa still doesn't have it. I am not worried about it, just curious.

My state school said 5-6 weeks to process the FAFSA

 

[SuzieQ3417]

I know this is a neverending question and maybe I'm just fueling the fire, but I would actually check with your individual schools (at least the ones you are most likely to attend). I checked with a couple of mine, and while one of them said don't worry about filling it out yet, another school strongly advised me to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible with estimated numbers because of the way financial aid works at their school. So I think while in general it may be OK to wait, better safe than sorry..I know I'm glad I asked.

I agree that you need to check with your individual school. I know Univ of Maryland, for example, has a "priority deadline" of March 15 (or thereabouts), and they want you to submit before then, even if it means estimating. Honestly, unless your income is vastly different from the year before your numbers aren't going to be off by much. I would rather estimate and meet a deadline for scholarships/loans and update after filing my taxes then miss out on any opportunities. Just my $.02

 

[NapeSpikes]

Mine was just processed. EFC = $0. Wohoo! I'm broke.

 

[monimoni]

First of all, I'm sorry if this is a dumb question. I've never filed the FAFSA before so I'm kind of lost. What I want to know is, do I have to report scholarships/grants that I received from my school somewhere on the FAFSA, like as a form of income? I'm on a full-ride, so I have lots of them.. Thanks for your help.

Hey everyone,
Yeah, I have the same question... as an independent, 1) do you have to report scholarships as part of your income, and 2) do you have to report money given to you by a family member for living expenses (from parents or siblings) as part of your income? Does the same go for filing taxes? Thanks for all your help- this stuff is kind of confusing to newcomers.

 

[registered user]

Hey everyone,
Yeah, I have the same question... as an independent, 1) do you have to report scholarships as part of your income, and 2) do you have to report money given to you by a family member for living expenses (from parents or siblings) as part of your income? Does the same go for filing taxes? Thanks for all your help- this stuff is kind of confusing to newcomers.

I have the same two questions as you. Hopefully someone can give us an answer.

 

[monimoni]

I have the same two questions as you. Hopefully someone can give us an answer.

the place on the fafsa where i can see scholarship or family gift items going is in the student part of the fafsa that says:
WB12. Money received, or paid on the student's behalf (e.g., bills), not reported elsewhere on this form.
can anyone confirm? thanks!

 

[OSUdoc08]

Hey everyone,
Yeah, I have the same question... as an independent, 1) do you have to report scholarships as part of your income, and 2) do you have to report money given to you by a family member for living expenses (from parents or siblings) as part of your income? Does the same go for filing taxes? Thanks for all your help- this stuff is kind of confusing to newcomers.

Don't report this. There is no way to legally prove this money exists.

 

[habanero]

I'm very fortunate and have parents who will pay my tuition through medical school as well as cover the majority of my living expenses until I am finished. I have also saved enough money so that I don't expect to need to get any kind of loans during the next 4 years.

What I'm wondering is if there is any reason for me to fill out the FAFSA given these circumstances. Basically, I'm only interested in grants and scholarships that don't require repayment. Are there any such scholarships that would require a FAFSA to process? thanks.

 

[Saluki]

I'm very fortunate and have parents who will pay my tuition through medical school as well as cover the majority of my living expenses until I am finished. I have also saved enough money so that I don't expect to need to get any kind of loans during the next 4 years.

What I'm wondering is if there is any reason for me to fill out the FAFSA given these circumstances. Basically, I'm only interested in grants and scholarships that don't require repayment. Are there any such scholarships that would require a FAFSA to process? thanks.

The only scholarships you get with that kind of information are those that are need based, and from what you're saying, it doesn't sound like you're qualified. However, why not fill out the form and see what happens? It's the FREE application for student aid

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

All you financial aid newbies 😉

Lightweights!! I did mine last night. Yet another EFC of 0, whoopee. My mom is broke and so am I!

 

[qui1027]

what do we do after our fafsa has been processed by the gov't? do we just wait until the school's contact us regarding their institutional loans, or should we call the schools we have listed on the form to make sure they received the information?

out of the 5 schools that i have listed, i have been only accepted to one of them. However, I am still waiting for the other 4 schools to tell me in feb/march whether or not i am accepted to their programs. Would it be useless to try to fill out the accepted school's institutional loan program before I find out my status at other schools? Thanks 🙂