College financial aid award letters ?

[EMAW_KSU]

People get frustrated when it appears that being financially irresponsible is rewarded.

Years ago when I was getting ready to go to college my parents were told they should go buy a new car to help with the financial aide I would get.

 

[zoemurr]

People get frustrated when it appears that being financially irresponsible is rewarded.

Years ago when I was getting ready to go to college my parents were told they should go buy a new car to help with the financial aide I would get.

I grew up with a single mom who busted her butt to pay off our house before I went to college. Then when she applied for financial aid she was told no, "because your house is paid for". She would have been much better off just making the minimum payent all of those years.

 

[MSSANDRA]

OP, glad you helped him out because the FASA system can be difficult to navigate even for adults. Reality is, without you, chances are he would not be going but your son, even with you having to pay would be.

YES...it s frustrating. We get nothing. Our incomes are not that high, but Our net worth is, because we have made choices to become debt free, and invest in things that hopefully will pay off some day but have not not yet!!!

We know quite a few families where the mom is "single" but lives a two adult lifestyle. Their disposable income is MUCH higher than ours. Child Support has to be reported but most of the time that end at 18 soooooo, only bio mom's income is reported. Most got full rides. Don't think custody is quite the right term as that ends at 18, but rather "supported by". We are thank-full for Merit Scholarships, The wisdom of grandparents and our ability to save some toward college, but yes it can seem very unfair.

 

[yoopermom]

People get frustrated when it appears that being financially irresponsible is rewarded.

Years ago when I was getting ready to go to college my parents were told they should go buy a new car to help with the financial aide I would get.

I was told the same thing on boards other than these . We sold our larger house on 40 acres seven years ago, bought the tiny house we live in now, and still have some of the $$ leftover. Even though it is dedicated to either a new house or retirement funds, of course FAFSA sees it as $$ we should be giving DS for college. I was told repeatedly to buy this or that, or "gift" it away to someone trustworthy, but I'm just too darn honest, I guess.

"Sucks to be the responsible one" is something my DH often says when I bring up this kind of topic...

Terri