Help me understand about the FAFSA

[golfgal]

You may be picked for verification and the verification sheet will ask for SSD income information. Don't worry, being chosen for this DOES NOT mean that your daughter's assistance is in jeopardy or that you did anything wrong. Its either a random choosing or from some answer on the form they can see there is income that is not included (again, not your mistake but because there is no where on the fafsa form to put the info) and that put up a red flag. You will just fill out the form and turn in a copy of your taxes. The financial aid office will complete the process of verification and then let you know if there were any corrections necessary on the fafsa. This may or may not change your EFC.

The website said something like 25% of all submissions end up getting a request for verification.

I noticed on DS's application that you could register for Selective Service linked right from the form. I forgot about him needing to do that. He isn't 18 yet so we didn't do that.

 

[barkley]

I really need some advice. I did the FAFSA for my daughter, but since my SSD is considered a 0.0 on my taxes, they said I should not claim it. And my DD gets SSD benefits through me, but they are not claimed on taxes anywhere. I don't want to cheat anyone and I feel guilty. Does anyone know if I should put this under untaxed income or can I just let it go. I did enter my DH's income form work, and DD added her's (not much but she added it). Thanks is anyone can help.

i'de call the help number if i were you-we have ssd income in our home and have always had to report it on the fafsa (and ssd is taxable income, just not in it's entirety, generaly the minor child's portion is low enough it does'nt get taxed but -if i remember correctly-50% of the adult's portion is taxable to the feds. with some people who have no other income that's a low enough figure that they don't end up with a tax liability but we were told by the fafsa folks that since it's still technicaly taxable income we had to report it).

 

[luvsJack]

The website said something like 25% of all submissions end up getting a request for verification.

I noticed on DS's application that you could register for Selective Service linked right from the form. I forgot about him needing to do that. He isn't 18 yet so we didn't do that.

Yeah, seems like quite a few of our students are chosen but I think its probably the 25% of random choosing and then a few that have red flags (like no income or being on the border line of dependent/independent).

If he is not registered for SS, his financial aid will not be processed and you may have to provide proof that he is registered before the complete everything. A lot of people really do forget about it until they fill out the FAFSA. There isn't a whole lot said about it anymore. We have had some male students that are 25 or so that never registered until they started trying to get financial aid.

 

[golfgal]

Yeah, seems like quite a few of our students are chosen but I think its probably the 25% of random choosing and then a few that have red flags (like no income or being on the border line of dependent/independent).

If he is not registered for SS, his financial aid will not be processed and you may have to provide proof that he is registered before the complete everything. A lot of people really do forget about it until they fill out the FAFSA. There isn't a whole lot said about it anymore. We have had some male students that are 25 or so that never registered until they started trying to get financial aid.

He won't be 18 until this summer so he legally won't have to register until then so will that make a difference? It says on the selective service website that he can't register until 30 days before his 18th birthday.

 

[Callie]

A loan isn't anything bad at all, and its almost impossible to work enough to pay for your school and keep grades. I'm lucky that my mom is able to pay for my education, but if she couldn't I'd get a loan and go.

 

[Lucky4me]

You only have to put in the taxable portion of your SSDI.
Or if you're on SSI, none of it.
New rule, this year.

 

[auntie]

Golfgal, I'm not really sure why community college is not an option for your kids; but I do hope you realize that they can get the exact same English, Math and Science classes at a community college for a LOT less money. Our academics are actually taught by adjunct instructors who are also professors at a local university. And they can also still get the dorm experience. Up to you, but just thought I would throw that out there.

Thanks...for having the courage to post this here!
I know it gets shot down by some..but it's worked out well for us.
My son will be doing this in the fall, as did his two older siblings. Our community college offers the SAME courses it's affiliated state schools, and two private colleges offer. AT A LOT LESS MONEY. $2,000 a semester. In fact last year...our community college closed it's enrollment in March '09..for the September '09 semester. Seems that in this economy, a good many people are taking a second look at this affordable option for their kid's first two years of college.
My daughter received her Associates in Early Childhood Education and is now working full time as a lead teacher in a daycare. They offer her full health benefits..and tuition reimbursement. This summer, she is starting on her bachelors. Will it take time?..sure, but she'll also not be in debt. Given that she wouldn't be covered on our health plan because of her age, I'm relieved that she has a job with health coverage and the opportunity to further her education.
My son who starts in the fall, will be going to our community college as well.
If he wants to transfer to a four year school..that's great. We will be filling at the FASFA forms. (we have for the other two as well, but we don't qualify for any financial aide, and I doubt we will for the next one either.) So this is an good affordable option for us. In this economy we just don't want to take on any debt sooner than we have to.

 

[Art 1]

Filled it out for our first and nothing came from it so didn't bother for the other two.

 

[princess.chell]

Oh FAFSA. It's my family and I first time dealing with as I'm the oldest. How are people filling it out already? Is there a way to get the W2 sooner?
We are waiting on mine and both of my parents, but my dad wants to get it done ASAP.
Also, I know its all based on last year's income and stuff, but is there a place to note a change in income? My mom lost her job 4 months ago and is working at a local store making less than I do an hour. We are worried that because it looks like my family has enough money to send me to college that we won't get anything, especially because I'm paying most of my own way.

Oh yeah, and I'm the crazy kid who decided to go a private 4-year art college in a city rather than a public university (nearly $40,000 compared to $14,000 a year); bring on the loans baby!

 

[luvsJack]

He won't be 18 until this summer so he legally won't have to register until then so will that make a difference? It says on the selective service website that he can't register until 30 days before his 18th birthday.

Just be sure to register him when it gets time. You can do it online I think and then just print a confirmation that he is registered--and I think they send you a card too, so hang on to that. That way it the financial aid office asks for it he will already have it. FAFSA does get confused sometimes, we have had many female students that have to actually put in writing "I am female and do not need to register with Selective Service"

 

[luvsJack]

Thanks...for having the courage to post this here!
I know it gets shot down by some..but it's worked out well for us.
My son will be doing this in the fall, as did his two older siblings. Our community college offers the SAME courses it's affiliated state schools, and two private colleges offer. AT A LOT LESS MONEY. $2,000 a semester. In fact last year...our community college closed it's enrollment in March '09..for the September '09 semester. Seems that in this economy, a good many people are taking a second look at this affordable option for their kid's first two years of college.
My daughter received her Associates in Early Childhood Education and is now working full time as a lead teacher in a daycare. They offer her full health benefits..and tuition reimbursement. This summer, she is starting on her bachelors. Will it take time?..sure, but she'll also not be in debt. Given that she wouldn't be covered on our health plan because of her age, I'm relieved that she has a job with health coverage and the opportunity to further her education.
My son who starts in the fall, will be going to our community college as well.
If he wants to transfer to a four year school..that's great. We will be filling at the FASFA forms. (we have for the other two as well, but we don't qualify for any financial aide, and I doubt we will for the next one either.) So this is an good affordable option for us. In this economy we just don't want to take on any debt sooner than we have to.

That's great for you daughter! I have my Associate's in something else but am thinking of getting my bachelor's in Early Childhood Ed.

I am not surprised about your local CC's closing registration. We had a record-breaking Fall and now have even more students for the Spring semester! Lots of local folks have gotten laid off and more just cannot find work in their field so they are coming to us in droves. We can offer a degree in just a couple of years (or one year in some cases) to give someone more job opportunities or we can offer their basic classes at a great reduction.

 

[golfgal]

Golfgal, I'm not really sure why community college is not an option for your kids; but I do hope you realize that they can get the exact same English, Math and Science classes at a community college for a LOT less money. Our academics are actually taught by adjunct instructors who are also professors at a local university. And they can also still get the dorm experience. Up to you, but just thought I would throw that out there.



.

It is not an option in our house because we firmly believe that going away to college is about more than what you learn in the classroom and that transferring into college 2 years later does not give you the same experience as starting out as a freshman at that school. That was our experience in college and same with pretty much everyone we know. I also don't believe the classes are "exactly" the same-I know they are no where near the same here as the community colleges are not tied to the state schools like they are in other areas. Also, quite frankly, our kids are smarter than that. I am sure this will come off sounding snobbish but they can do better than community college and we want them to. DS14 has his sights set pretty high for college and going to a community college for a year or two first would do him a huge disservice. DD will most likely get a golf scholarship and again, going to a community college will do her a huge disservice. DS17 has zero interest in going that route and has tried to talk some of his friends out of doing that because he knows they will never finish if they go that route.

I think the worst thing you can do for your child is limit where they go to school because of money. If they want to go somewhere that badly, they can make it work, especially if they are a good student-colleges WANT them and will help them find the money.

Oh FAFSA. It's my family and I first time dealing with as I'm the oldest. How are people filling it out already? Is there a way to get the W2 sooner?
We are waiting on mine and both of my parents, but my dad wants to get it done ASAP.
Also, I know its all based on last year's income and stuff, but is there a place to note a change in income? My mom lost her job 4 months ago and is working at a local store making less than I do an hour. We are worried that because it looks like my family has enough money to send me to college that we won't get anything, especially because I'm paying most of my own way.

Oh yeah, and I'm the crazy kid who decided to go a private 4-year art college in a city rather than a public university (nearly $40,000 compared to $14,000 a year); bring on the loans baby!

On the form online there is a drop down box and one of the choices is that you "will file" your tax return. We used our last pay stubs (well for DH, mine is all on Quickbooks) to do our preliminary taxes using TurboTax and transferred that information to the Fin Aid form. You can get most of the information you need on your tax forms without needing your W-2. Then you can go back and amend your FAFSA once you really get your taxes done. When you submit the FAFSA it will give you an estimate of what your expected family contribution will be. There is also a question that asks if a parent is a displaced worker so your mom would qualify for that.

Keep in mind that say your expected family contribution is $10,000. The state school costs $14,000 so you get $4000 in aide but the private school costs $40,000 so you get $30,000 in aid (grants, loans, etc.) This is somewhat simplified but it shows the general process.

 

[luvsJack]

It is not an option in our house because we firmly believe that going away to college is about more than what you learn in the classroom and that transferring into college 2 years later does not give you the same experience as starting out as a freshman at that school. That was our experience in college and same with pretty much everyone we know. I also don't believe the classes are "exactly" the same-I know they are no where near the same here as the community colleges are not tied to the state schools like they are in other areas. Also, quite frankly, our kids are smarter than that. I am sure this will come off sounding snobbish but they can do better than community college and we want them to. DS14 has his sights set pretty high for college and going to a community college for a year or two first would do him a huge disservice. DD will most likely get a golf scholarship and again, going to a community college will do her a huge disservice. DS17 has zero interest in going that route and has tried to talk some of his friends out of doing that because he knows they will never finish if they go that route.

I think the worst thing you can do for your child is limit where they go to school because of money. If they want to go somewhere that badly, they can make it work, especially if they are a good student-colleges WANT them and will help them find the money.

Hmmmm. Ok. Of course it is always the choice of you and your children. I would just hate for someone to read that and think that they are somehow hurting their child by sending them to a community college for the same English, Math and Science they would get at a university (I assure you that on our campus they are exactly the same. Same book and same teacher as at a nearby university.)

If your child is getting a scholarship, of course you would send them to that school first. That only makes sense. But many, many advisers at universities to suggest to their students to take a few of their classes at community college (if they need a particular class this semester and its full at the university for instance).

And, additionally, I would hate to see some family out there struggling and not making ends meet trying to pay tuition at a university for the same classes that they can get at half or less of the cost. (I realize that your family will not be struggling but I mean a family that gets the mistaken idea that they would be hurting their child somehow)

We have grads that becomes doctors, lawyers, politicians, scientists, etc. etc. etc. Its not like our grads are stuck at any level. They take two years of basics and then transfer for the next two, four, six or ever how many it takes to get their final degree.

I can just about guarantee you that you do not know where most people took math, English and science in college. Unless you looked at their transcript you really wouldn't know.

Its not that you are sounding snobbish, I just think you have the wrong idea of what a community college is. And as for being too smart, not sure about that --we have some very intelligent students (not bragging but my own ds was one of them--perfect ACT score) that just want the most education for their money. There is a life time limit on loans and that money can well run out before a degree is obtained.

 

[golfgal]

Hmmmm. Ok. Of course it is always the choice of you and your children. I would just hate for someone to read that and think that they are somehow hurting their child by sending them to a community college for the same English, Math and Science they would get at a university (I assure you that on our campus they are exactly the same. Same book and same teacher as at a nearby university.)

If your child is getting a scholarship, of course you would send them to that school first. That only makes sense. But many, many advisers at universities to suggest to their students to take a few of their classes at community college (if they need a particular class this semester and its full at the university for instance).

And, additionally, I would hate to see some family out there struggling and not making ends meet trying to pay tuition at a university for the same classes that they can get at half or less of the cost. (I realize that your family will not be struggling but I mean a family that gets the mistaken idea that they would be hurting their child somehow)

We have grads that becomes doctors, lawyers, politicians, scientists, etc. etc. etc. Its not like our grads are stuck at any level. They take two years of basics and then transfer for the next two, four, six or ever how many it takes to get their final degree.

I can just about guarantee you that you do not know where most people took math, English and science in college. Unless you looked at their transcript you really wouldn't know.

Its not that you are sounding snobbish, I just think you have the wrong idea of what a community college is. And as for being too smart, not sure about that --we have some very intelligent students (not bragging but my own ds was one of them--perfect ACT score) that just want the most education for their money. There is a life time limit on loans and that money can well run out before a degree is obtained.

I think your CC system is set up better than our system. I know for a fact that the same teachers do not teach at the CC as the state universities (at least not at most of them). First, the CC's are not in close proximity to the state universities and a good majority of the "teachers" do not have a teaching background. Many of them do not even have a masters degree, let alone a PhD-which doesn't mean anything but just that they are not the same prof's. Again, MOST of our decision to not go the CC route is based on wanting the kids to go off to college and live in the dorms freshman/sophomore year at least. The school DS is attending most of the kids live in the dorms/on-campus apartments all 4 years. For states where the CC is an extension of the state university system, great but again, I wouldn't send my kids there if they could not live in a dorm situation either.

 

[tekmom]

He won't be 18 until this summer so he legally won't have to register until then so will that make a difference? It says on the selective service website that he can't register until 30 days before his 18th birthday.

He will be auto-registered for SS on his birthday, if you let them do it by way of FAFSA. DS won't be 18 until June, but we did check yes for them to do it, he won't be eligible for federal financial aid without it.

 

[tekmom]

Oh FAFSA. It's my family and I first time dealing with as I'm the oldest. How are people filling it out already? Is there a way to get the W2 sooner?
We are waiting on mine and both of my parents, but my dad wants to get it done ASAP.
Also, I know its all based on last year's income and stuff, but is there a place to note a change in income? My mom lost her job 4 months ago and is working at a local store making less than I do an hour. We are worried that because it looks like my family has enough money to send me to college that we won't get anything, especially because I'm paying most of my own way.

Oh yeah, and I'm the crazy kid who decided to go a private 4-year art college in a city rather than a public university (nearly $40,000 compared to $14,000 a year); bring on the loans baby!

Use the numbers from 2008 return as an estimate, then you can go back into the FAFSA with the actual numbers when you do your 2009 taxes. Some of DS's schools have a FAFSA deadline of February, so it's all about meeting the deadline for the school.

 

[golfgal]

He will be auto-registered for SS on his birthday, if you let them do it by way of FAFSA. DS won't be 18 until June, but we did check yes for them to do it, he won't be eligible for federal financial aid without it.

That is where it gets confusing. On the site it said "some males" won't be eligible for Fin Aid if they aren't registered. I would assume that means boys that are already 18 but who knows. When we update our information when we get our taxes done for real we will probably have him register but he shouldn't be penalized if he isn't required to register yet. If the aid package comes out in March and he doesn't have to register until mid-June at the earliest (mid July birthday) it shouldn't count against him. I can see not paying out the aid in the fall if he doesn't show he registered over the summer though. What about kids that start college when they are 17 or younger, they can't register yet so does that mean they can't get aid? It would be nice if they gave more information about that.

 

[tekmom]

That is where it gets confusing. On the site it said "some males" won't be eligible for Fin Aid if they aren't registered. I would assume that means boys that are already 18 but who knows. When we update our information when we get our taxes done for real we will probably have him register but he shouldn't be penalized if he isn't required to register yet. If the aid package comes out in March and he doesn't have to register until mid-June at the earliest (mid July birthday) it shouldn't count against him. I can see not paying out the aid in the fall if he doesn't show he registered over the summer though. What about kids that start college when they are 17 or younger, they can't register yet so does that mean they can't get aid? It would be nice if they gave more information about that.

I know, I had the guy from the FAFSA help line on the phone when I got to that question. I just seemed easier for them to do it automatically. As for FAFSA, the only thing DS qualifies for are work study and Stafford loans. While he did get nice scholarship offers from some local privates, he wants to go away and the state school is actually a better school that the privates. Even at full freight, with room and board, it's cheaper than driving back and forth to the privates with the great scholarship offers.

 

[golfgal]

I know, I had the guy from the FAFSA help line on the phone when I got to that question. I just seemed easier for them to do it automatically. As for FAFSA, the only thing DS qualifies for are work study and Stafford loans. While he did get nice scholarship offers from some local privates, he wants to go away and the state school is actually a better school that the privates. Even at full freight, with room and board, it's cheaper that driving back and forth to the privates with the great scholarship offers.

How do you know that already?

 

[tekmom]

How do you know that already?

Based upon our EFC it states it on the printout confirm page.....and only if our EFC stays the same when the "corrected" tax numbers go in. It wasn't surprising. It would be nice for grants but we're not holding our breath.