When to submit FAFSA for those entering med school in fall of 2013?

[virtuoso735]

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When should I submit my FAFSA application if I plan on matriculating at a medical school this fall? The school I have been admitted to recommends that I send my FAFSA application in as soon after January 1 as possible to receive full consideration for scholarships and financial aid, but I was wondering if this is even possible if I haven't filed my taxes for 2012? I only have tax forms (from myself and my parents) from 2011. Should I wait until the spring when I file my taxes, or do I just use information from 2011?

 

[alexlex143]

On the app, you have the option to elect "Will file taxes," so you would select that when the question is prompted.

Once you have filed your taxes, you go back and edit your FAFSA by uploading your tax return info directly from the IRS.

You want to submit your FAFSA asap to get the most aid, even if you haven't filed your return yet.

 

[AestheticGod]

I remember when FAFSA gave money for summer classes 🙁

 

[NickNaylor]

Just wait until you get your tax info. You can, of course, estimate your numbers, but it won't matter much as schools will know they're estimates and probably won't give you any firm awards. I just waited until I got my W-2s and my parents finished their taxes.

 

[Dires]

I was told by a school I applied to that it is important to get the January 1st submission date on your FAFSA account. Can someone explain the importance of this?

 

[NickNaylor]

I was told by a school I applied to that it is important to get the January 1st submission date on your FAFSA account. Can someone explain the importance of this?

Need based aid at most schools is pretty limited; as a result, need + "first come, first served" is usually used to award aid. If you don't submit your FAFSA until later on in the spring (say, April or May), it's entirely possible that the school may have already awarded all of its need-based aid, leaving you out of luck - even if you definitely qualify for need-based aid.

It's also somewhat self-serving as the school can get an idea of how much aid will need to be distributed to the incoming class.

 

[Dires]

Need based aid at most schools is pretty limited; as a result, need + "first come, first served" is usually used to award aid. If you don't submit your FAFSA until later on in the spring (say, April or May), it's entirely possible that the school may have already awarded all of its need-based aid, leaving you out of luck - even if you definitely qualify for need-based aid.

It's also somewhat self-serving as the school can get an idea of how much aid will need to be distributed to the incoming class.

Thanks.👍

 

[futureczar]

How do you enter the school code in FAFSA if you arent certain what school you are going to? One of the schools that i have been accepted to has provided me with their code but i am not sure if i will attend that school yet.

 

[COTA2Phys]

How do you enter the school code in FAFSA if you arent certain what school you are going to? One of the schools that i have been accepted to has provided me with their code but i am not sure if i will attend that school yet.

If im not mistaken, you can enter several school codes. That way they have your info. That's what I did when I was applying for undergrad and wasn't sure exactly which school I was going to yet.

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[BABSstudent]

If im not mistaken, you can enter several school codes. That way they have your info. That's what I did when I was applying for undergrad and wasn't sure exactly which school I was going to yet.

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Should we only put the schools that we have been accepted to, or should we include others like waitlist status or on hold?

 

[COTA2Phys]

Should we only put the schools that we have been accepted to, or should we include others like waitlist status or on hold?

I would think you should enter all possible schools, but I haven't filled mine out yet. So, take my advice with a grain of salt. I actually didn't even realize that you can fill the FAFSA out this early so I'm glad this thread was created.

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[NickNaylor]

Should we only put the schools that we have been accepted to, or should we include others like waitlist status or on hold?

Most schools will encourage you to send them your FAFSA even if you haven't received a decision - especially moving into late spring/summer. By doing that you make sure that the school has your info so that they can put together an aid package ASAP. It's not so important early on, but it's especially important if you're waiting for last-minute decisions (e.g., close to May 15th or into June/July).

 

[NewYorker9]

On the app, you have the option to elect "Will file taxes," so you would select that when the question is prompted.

Once you have filed your taxes, you go back and edit your FAFSA by uploading your tax return info directly from the IRS.

You want to submit your FAFSA asap to get the most aid, even if you haven't filed your return yet.

Not sure if this is related to what you're saying or not, but I know you can submit your FAFSA with estimated figures if you haven't received the necessary paperwork yet from your employers. This is school dependent, but I believe I have read that some financial aid offices do not want the estimated figures - they will not act upon it until the numbers are official.

 

[dextor2003]

Sorry to sidetrack the thread a bit, but when the FAFSA asks how many in the family will be in college in 2013-2014, do we count ourselves even though we're filling this out for medical school, and not college?

 

[NickNaylor]

Sorry to sidetrack the thread a bit, but when the FAFSA asks how many in the family will be in college in 2013-2014, do we count ourselves even though we're filling this out for medical school, and not college?

No, because you will not be in college for 2013-2014.

 

[dextor2003]

No, because you will not be in college for 2013-2014.

Cool. Thanks

 

[wanderedtoolong]

Sorry to sidetrack the thread a bit, but when the FAFSA asks how many in the family will be in college in 2013-2014, do we count ourselves even though we're filling this out for medical school, and not college?

Actually, I think you have to- I tried to continue with "0" in that space and got an error- the fafsa form doesn't really distinguish between college/grad program except when it specifically asks about what type of program you're enrolling in. Otherwise "college" seems to be the default term.

 

[dextor2003]

Actually, I think you have to- I tried to continue with "0" in that space and got an error- the fafsa form doesn't really distinguish between college/grad program except when it specifically asks about what type of program you're enrolling in. Otherwise "college" seems to be the default term.

Yea, the 0 isn't working for me either...I thought to just call FAFSA and find out after work. But I guess if anyone else knows until then and would like to chime in, that'd be great.

 

[NickNaylor]

Actually, I think you have to- I tried to continue with "0" in that space and got an error- the fafsa form doesn't really distinguish between college/grad program except when it specifically asks about what type of program you're enrolling in. Otherwise "college" seems to be the default term.

Interesting - maybe I forgot about that little bug. I don't remember having this issue though.

My bad if I was incorrect.

 

[speakwhales]

Financial aid is ROLLING?!?!?!?!

 

[Twinnering]

Just wait until you get your tax info. You can, of course, estimate your numbers, but it won't matter much as schools will know they're estimates and probably won't give you any firm awards. I just waited until I got my W-2s and my parents finished their taxes.

If you dont have to file, but your parents do...do you still recommend waiting for them to finish their taxes? Or is parental information not that important, and you can just give the 2011 info as you're applying as an independent anyways and still get an award package?

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I know that a lot of med schools want parental information on the FAFSA for institutional aid - what can you do if you can't get that information? My father is deceased and my mom is on permanent disability, but I have a stepdad who files jointly with her & he won't give me his tax info. And god knows when he'll even get around to doing his taxes. I'm 30 and he's never supported me, so this REALLY doesn't seem like it should be a factor but I guess it is.

 

[pv515]

I know that a lot of med schools want parental information on the FAFSA for institutional aid - what can you do if you can't get that information? My father is deceased and my mom is on permanent disability, but I have a stepdad who files jointly with her & he won't give me his tax info. And god knows when he'll even get around to doing his taxes. I'm 30 and he's never supported me, so this REALLY doesn't seem like it should be a factor but I guess it is.

I would call up some schools financial aid offices and ask them. I think that at 30 you may be out of the woods for having to provide parental info, as you've already been supporting yourself for years at this point. IIRC, 27 is the cutoff for parental info.

You wouldn't really expect a 40 year old to provide parental info, right? 😉

 

[tiparalyzed]

No, because you will not be in college for 2013-2014.

I actually tried to submit 0 for this field, but it wouldn't let me. I feel like FAFSA is counting continuing education/grad school/prof school as college??

 

[pre med 2014]

How long does it take to get approved for a loan after submitting the app?

 

[Jas1360]

I would call up some schools financial aid offices and ask them. I think that at 30 you may be out of the woods for having to provide parental info, as you've already been supporting yourself for years at this point. IIRC, 27 is the cutoff for parental info.

You wouldn't really expect a 40 year old to provide parental info, right? 😉

It's a good question because I couldn't apply for FAP through AMCAS because they wanted parental info.

 

[DrBtobe]

It's a good question because I couldn't apply for FAP through AMCAS because they wanted parental info.

Same here no FAP because of the parental info.

The financial aid dept at one of the schools I applied to told me to put parent info on my FAFSA or I wouldn't be considered for most of the aid packages (other than loans). I'm 28 and haven't been supported by my mother for over a decade.
I would just talk to the financial aid departments.

I've been working the last few years and don't want my fin-aid package based on an income that I will no longer have.
Anyone else in this situation?

 

[BABSstudent]

Same here no FAP because of the parental info.

The financial aid dept at one of the schools I applied to told me to put parent info on my FAFSA or I wouldn't be considered for most of the aid packages (other than loans). I'm 28 and haven't been supported by my mother for over a decade.
I would just talk to the financial aid departments.

I've been working the last few years and don't want my fin-aid package based on an income that I will no longer have.
Anyone else in this situation?

Pretty much everyone in medical school. I quit having parental financial aid given to me at about 15 but still had to report it to colleges and now medical school. Such is life.

 

[NickNaylor]

Same here no FAP because of the parental info.

The financial aid dept at one of the schools I applied to told me to put parent info on my FAFSA or I wouldn't be considered for most of the aid packages (other than loans). I'm 28 and haven't been supported by my mother for over a decade.
I would just talk to the financial aid departments.

I've been working the last few years and don't want my fin-aid package based on an income that I will no longer have.
Anyone else in this situation?

You should really try and get that information from your parent(s). Most schools will understand if you tell them that you haven't been supported by them despite reporting their income info.

 

[Jas1360]

You should really try and get that information from your parent(s). Most schools will understand if you tell them that you haven't been supported by them despite reporting their income info.

Even if you are married and have children?

If they are divorced do you have to get both parents info?

 

[BABSstudent]

Even if you are married and have children?

If they are divorced do you have to get both parents info?

Most schools have told me we have to submit parental information unless there is an extreme circumstance (like they have passed away).

 

[xroc]

Most schools have told me we have to submit parental information unless there is an extreme circumstance (like they have passed away).

What about the schools that specifically state not to use estimated figures? Do I pretty much have to wait until my parents have their taxes done to fill out FAFSA?

 

[CsHead]

Even if you are married and have children?

If they are divorced do you have to get both parents info?

Some schools have told me they have an appeal for these situations.

Divorced, Divorced and remarried but file separately, etc.