Same college, different price!

[npmommie]

I just wrote out DD's first tuition check. It was pretty much full pay. That's $24K for one semester's tuition room and board, not including books. Somehow I did not begrudge anyone else's financial aid. I was just happy, I had the money to pay. I hope to be able to do the same for my younger DD when the time comes. In the meantime, I scrimp and I save.

We are not rich by any means. I am a SAHM and my DH works for the government.

I better up the savings here. good gracious, where does she go to school that it is 24K for ONE semester??
or am I out of the loop on what college costs now?

 

[Darcy03231]

We have twins in college, plus one just graduated college. We did not get one penny of financial aid. (And no, the state university no longer gives any discount to siblings.)
Our sons have a friend in the same major, he's PAID $600 a year to go to school!
The parents are divorced so dad's income and the mom's live-in boyfriend's income are not required in the formula. This system definitely does not reward families who stay together and work to put away money for their kids education.

I'm a divorced parent and I still think this is a huge flaw in the system. When calculating financial aid I think both parents should be required to provide information and aid should be based on that. I don't think step-parents or live in boyfriend/girlfriend's income should be considered because those people aren't legally responsible for the child. My children spend most of their time with their dad so he fills out the FAFSA. My income isn't considered and it should be.

I know a woman who is divorced and her ex is a doctor. Because her children live with her most of the time she fills out the FAFSA. Since she has a high school education her income is really low and her children go to school with almost no out of pocket expense on part of their parents. They receive merit based aid, loans and income based aid, based on mom's income. FAFSA doesn't consider the fact that her ex makes about $400-500k a year (I know because she told me that's what he makes).

This to me is a huge flaw in the system.

 

[punkin]

I better up the savings here. good gracious, where does she go to school that it is 24K for ONE semester??
or am I out of the loop on what college costs now?

That is room and board (required) in addition to tuition at a top 25 liberal arts college. It is not out of the ordinary. DD got merit scholarships at other schools, but this is what she wanted and I am paying.

 

[luvsJack]

I'm a divorced parent and I still think this is a huge flaw in the system. When calculating financial aid I think both parents should be required to provide information and aid should be based on that. I don't think step-parents or live in boyfriend/girlfriend's income should be considered because those people aren't legally responsible for the child. My children spend most of their time with their dad so he fills out the FAFSA. My income isn't considered and it should be.

I know a woman who is divorced and her ex is a doctor. Because her children live with her most of the time she fills out the FAFSA. Since she has a high school education her income is really low and her children go to school with almost no out of pocket expense on part of their parents. They receive merit based aid, loans and income based aid, based on mom's income. FAFSA doesn't consider the fact that her ex makes about $400-500k a year (I know because she told me that's what he makes).

This to me is a huge flaw in the system.

I understand what you are saying but that wouldn't be fair to the thousands of kids whose Mom or Dad (which ever does not have custody) no longer have anything to do with their child or have supported them.

 

[disykat]

Are you really suggesting that it's my fault that my parents chose not to help me with school? Place yourself in someone else's shoes. What if that was your DS or DD in that position? What if you suddenly became unemployed and couldn't help out with college costs? How would you feel if people took that attitude towards him/her? I would be willing to bet most people here, as most of them are attempting to help their DS or DD in some way, care about their children immensely and would be hurt if someone was talking about their child that way. It is unreasonable to think that a child at 15 can get a job, keep it, and save up enough to pay for 4 years of college by the time they're 18.

Just because someone fresh out of their parent's nest has less than you doesn't make them a horrible person. Many people leave the nest with nothing.

x

I'm not sure where you're getting that we hate you because we think your parents should be planning for your college? No one here has said anything against students who need help to go to college. The negatives here are all against the parents.

 

[Darcy03231]

I understand what you are saying but that wouldn't be fair to the thousands of kids whose Mom or Dad (which ever does not have custody) no longer have anything to do with their child or have supported them.

How is this any different that parents that are still married? If you're married both mom and dad provide all income information on the FAFSA, whether they plan to contribute to the child's college education, or not.

If you're divorced, only mom or only dad provides the information. The other half of the information is not required.

In my case, my ex isn't remarried so only his income goes on the FAFSA. Mine isn't even considered (and it should be).

If DD lived with me most of the time, my income and my current DH's income would be considered, and not her dad's. My current DH has absolutely no obligation to provide any support for her, she isn't his child. Why on earth should his income be used to calculate her financial aid? Especially since he supports two children of his own.

As her parents, both my income and my ex's income should be what they go by. I just think the whole system needs a major overhaul.

 

[Soben]

Many divorce decrees require parents to split the costs of college. So the other parent can have little to no say in picking out the school and still have to pay for the 1/2 cost.

 

[brerrabbit]

While the system is not doubt flawed it does work for a lot of people. We were certainly not one of those people so we had to do it out of pocket. While I understand the desire to attend some of the top schools I also don't understand the absolute necessity people has with their Kids going to the best schools no matter what. Here in Texas we have some rellay good public schools and you can succeed by graduating from them. The recent article on Yahoo told the story of a girl who had to attend NYU and got a degree in Religion and Womans studies who now lives and works in San Francisco as a photographers assistant. She owes $97,000 in college loans. That is ridiculous. College should give you access to the world, not a yoke around your neck for the next 15 years.

In answer to the OP question of why do people pay different amounts at the same school, then the answer is if it's private the school actually charges different fees for different people. Well not really but what they do is give "scholarships", "grants" or "forgivable loans" to students they really want. Everyone pays the same rate but then gets these forms of discounts based on GPA, test scores, ethnicity, major chosen, etc. We have friends kids who have gone to Southwestern in Georgetown, Texas, Baylor in Waco, St Edwards in San Antonio and other private schools in Texas. Every one of them got "discounts" for different reasons which effectively created different fees for different students.

 

[Darcy03231]

Many divorce decrees require parents to split the costs of college. So the other parent can have little to no say in picking out the school and still have to pay for the 1/2 cost.

While that's true, in most cases they have to split the cost after all aid has been applied. In the case of my acquaintance, there was no cost after all the aid was applied, so her ex, who made in excess of $400k per year didn't have to pay anything. That's why I think the system needs a major overhaul.

 

[luvsJack]

How is this any different that parents that are still married? If you're married both mom and dad provide all income information on the FAFSA, whether they plan to contribute to the child's college education, or not.

If you're divorced, only mom or only dad provides the information. The other half of the information is not required.

In my case, my ex isn't remarried so only his income goes on the FAFSA. Mine isn't even considered (and it should be).

If DD lived with me most of the time, my income and my current DH's income would be considered, and not her dad's. My current DH has absolutely no obligation to provide any support for her, she isn't his child. Why on earth should his income be used to calculate her financial aid? Especially since he supports two children of his own.

As her parents, both my income and my ex's income should be what they go by. I just think the whole system needs a major overhaul.

Your husband's income would be considered because it is "household" income. Otherwise a woman could be married to Donald Trump and because she has no job and a college kid, he/she would get financial aid. That wouldn't be fair either.

I am not sure if it is on the FAFSA but if a student is chosen for verification, child support paid to the custodial parent is figured into the household income.

Its all about household income and the non custodial parent who doesn't live in the house doesn't provide income to that household unless its by child support and so would not have their income figured into the EFC.

In some cases it seems unfair because Mom or Dad who are not considered has more than enough income and is willing to help pay for the education; but if it was done the other way there would be plenty who could not go to school because of income of a parent who doesn't contribute anything to that child.

 

[ctinct]

I'm a divorced parent and I still think this is a huge flaw in the system. When calculating financial aid I think both parents should be required to provide information and aid should be based on that. I don't think step-parents or live in boyfriend/girlfriend's income should be considered because those people aren't legally responsible for the child. My children spend most of their time with their dad so he fills out the FAFSA. My income isn't considered and it should be.

I know a woman who is divorced and her ex is a doctor. Because her children live with her most of the time she fills out the FAFSA. Since she has a high school education her income is really low and her children go to school with almost no out of pocket expense on part of their parents. They receive merit based aid, loans and income based aid, based on mom's income. FAFSA doesn't consider the fact that her ex makes about $400-500k a year (I know because she told me that's what he makes).

This to me is a huge flaw in the system.

Interesting that we are both divorced parents, yet we have completely opposite views on this. I think it unfair that many places require non-custodial financials and expect the non-custodial parent to pay. In many cases, and in my daughter's case in particular, it isn't going to happen. I thank my lucky stars for FAFSA only schools. These are the schools that will only consider the income of the parent the child lives with. Yes, maybe it is unfair the dr. doesn't have to pay (or maybe he contributes despite not being mandated to by the school.) In our case, my daughter will have a difficult time receiving any aid from non-custodial Profile schools, many of which are private, because her dad will not provide this info or any financial help at all. Pretty much we have eliminated these schools from her list of potential schools, except for one or two she really likes that she is going to see if we can get a waiver from. I feel so sad for her, though, because she is a very bright, involved kid, and there are a lot of schools she has had to cross off her list because of this. It's fabulous that you are willing to do your share, but not every parent is like you, unfortunately, and it's the kids who lose out because of it.

 

[allison443]

In some cases it seems unfair because Mom or Dad who are not considered has more than enough income and is willing to help pay for the education; but if it was done the other way there would be plenty who could not go to school because of income of a parent who doesn't contribute anything to that child.

Yes, but that situation is not exclusive to kids of divorced parents...there are many non-divorced parents who refuse for whatever reason to contribute to their kids college costs. That isn't taken into account by the financial aid process and those kids don't receive financial aid because of their parents income.
Of course I understand the reason for that-everyone would say they won't contribute and want their kid to get aid. But only noncustodial divorced parents are given that presumption.

 

[Darcy03231]

Interesting that we are both divorced parents, yet we have completely opposite views on this. I think it unfair that many places require non-custodial financials and expect the non-custodial parent to pay. In many cases, and in my daughter's case in particular, it isn't going to happen. I thank my lucky stars for FAFSA only schools. These are the schools that will only consider the income of the parent the child lives with. Yes, maybe it is unfair the dr. doesn't have to pay (or maybe he contributes despite not being mandated to by the school.) In our case, my daughter will have a difficult time receiving any aid from non-custodial Profile schools, many of which are private, because her dad will not provide this info or any financial help at all. Pretty much we have eliminated these schools from her list of potential schools, except for one or two she really likes that she is going to see if we can get a waiver from. I feel so sad for her, though, because she is a very bright, involved kid, and there are a lot of schools she has had to cross off her list because of this. It's fabulous that you are willing to do your share, but not every parent is like you, unfortunately, and it's the kids who lose out because of it.

While I see what you are saying, how is this any different than parents that are still married to each other, kick their children out after high school graduation and who refuse to provide financial information? Your child receives aid, but the child with married parents doesn't.

I have 19 y.o. twins that live me and DH. They are completely unrelated to us. Their parents moved out of state a year ago, there has been little to no contact and no financial help from them at all. When they moved into our house they had just completed their junior year of high school. They've now graduated and are trying to go on to college. Both are great kids, good students and no trouble at all. The high school considered them "homeless" and they received free school lunch and breakfast, free bus tickets, and all fees for taking the SATs, sending transcripts, etc. were waived. They also both receive food stamps. Both girls filed their own tax returns for 2009 and claimed themselves.

By FAFSA rules, they are dependent on their parents, even though they don't live with them and haven't in over a year. Parents have refused to provide any financial information. We've been to the financial aid offices, they've written letters, the guidance counselor from high school has written letters and DH and I have written letters, signed and had notarized affidavits done, etc. They still cannot receive any aid.

While I certainly don't begrudge your child the aid she's been given, this is one of the reasons why I think the whole system is flawed.

 

[MrsPete]

not true, if they are not under your roof, living on their own for 12 months, working and supporting themselves, the parents incomes are not taken into account. You don't have to wait until you are 24. When I say out of the parents house, I don't mean living in a dorm and your parents supporting you, I mean total nonsupport from parents and supporting yourself. While they may ask for the parents info.. they don't take it into consideration if the parents are not supporting them.....

Totally 100% false.

I think the reason why it doesn't bother some of us is because the money goes directly towards education. It is paid right to the college. Kids aren't using it for beer money or drugs.

Well, it COULD end up being used for beer or drugs. Some kids get so much scholarship /financial aid that they actually get money back. It depends upon their choices I did a couple semesters, but I needed every penny for books and other real educational expenses. Here's an example:

To keep numbers easy, let's say that a certain school charges $5000 in tuition and $5000 for room/board. Both students recieve a merit-scholarship for $5000, and both students get a Pell Grant for $2500. (Let's not quibble over whether that's realistic -- that's not the point.)

Student #1 lives on campus, so his total college bill is $10,000. The school gets checks for his $5000 scholarship and his $2500 Pell Grant, and they send the student a bill for $2500 -- he owes them more money.

Student #2 lives in an off-campus apartment, so the college only bills him $5000 for tuition. The college gives him a "refund check" for $2500, which he then needs to use for rent, gas, and other living expenses during college. And he's going to need more money throughout the year for these things, but that's kind of "invisible" when you're talking about the tuition bill in the fall. It's not illegal or unethical at all for this student to use that money for groceries, etc. (no more than it's wrong for Student #1 to use the money towards an on-campus meal plan). Taking a vacation or buying a new car is questionable morally, but not illegal.

I know a woman who is divorced and her ex is a doctor. Because her children live with her most of the time she fills out the FAFSA. Since she has a high school education her income is really low and her children go to school with almost no out of pocket expense on part of their parents. They receive merit based aid, loans and income based aid, based on mom's income. FAFSA doesn't consider the fact that her ex makes about $400-500k a year (I know because she told me that's what he makes).

This to me is a huge flaw in the system.

I was actually about to tell a similar story. The students in my story are twins, excellent students (#1 and #2 in their graduating class), and both received academic scholarships. Their mother's income was very low, but their father's income was very high. Their father was willing to pay for them to go to school . . . but given that they were totally eligible for financial aid, he chose to use his money to help his children in other ways. Fair? Nope. Legal? Yep.

Many divorce decrees require parents to split the costs of college. So the other parent can have little to no say in picking out the school and still have to pay for the 1/2 cost.

Which is evidence that college costs can be unfair in a number of different ways.

I am not sure if it is on the FAFSA but if a student is chosen for verification, child support paid to the custodial parent is figured into the household income.

But in many cases -- like the twins I mentioned above -- child support ends at age 18/high school graduation. So it's no longer considered income for the mother (thinking typical situation here: father paying, mother raising the children). The father may still be paying numerous things for the children, BUT it's not income to the mother any longer: It's gifts directly to the children.

While I see what you are saying, how is this any different than parents that are still married to each other, kick their children out after high school graduation and who refuse to provide financial information? Your child receives aid, but the child with married parents doesn't.

I have 19 y.o. twins that live me and DH. They are completely unrelated to us. Their parents moved out of state a year ago, there has been little to no contact and no financial help from them at all. When they moved into our house they had just completed their junior year of high school. They've now graduated and are trying to go on to college. Both are great kids, good students and no trouble at all. The high school considered them "homeless" and they received free school lunch and breakfast, free bus tickets, and all fees for taking the SATs, sending transcripts, etc. were waived. They also both receive food stamps. Both girls filed their own tax returns for 2009 and claimed themselves.

By FAFSA rules, they are dependent on their parents, even though they don't live with them and haven't in over a year. Parents have refused to provide any financial information. We've been to the financial aid offices, they've written letters, the guidance counselor from high school has written letters and DH and I have written letters, signed and had notarized affidavits done, etc. They still cannot receive any aid.

While I certainly don't begrudge your child the aid she's been given, this is one of the reasons why I think the whole system is flawed.

And this is the opposite of the twins I know. In the case of the kids I know, they really don't need the money -- but are going to take it because it's legally available to them. In the case of the kids you know, they desperately need it and cannot get it.

You're right: The system is flawed.

 

[DisneyPolve]

Of course, they NEED more help because they have never been responsible or worked hard in their lives.

I don't think not saving for your childs education is irresposible. Maybe some of the other things you said, but I feel as a parent it is more important that DH and I fund our retirement accounts then our sons college fund. Your friend who worked two jobs to save for her kids education, choose to do that. Both DH and I paid for our own education, well the Army paid for the majority of his, and I think it made both of us better students.

Plus, I am so surprised that both your friend and neighbors was willing to share such personal information with you when it comes with finance, which makes me think they both may not be giving you all the details. I notice people omit information when giving details of finance, because it is such a personal thing. JMHO

 

[sookie]

While I see what you are saying, how is this any different than parents that are still married to each other, kick their children out after high school graduation and who refuse to provide financial information? Your child receives aid, but the child with married parents doesn't.

I have 19 y.o. twins that live me and DH. They are completely unrelated to us. Their parents moved out of state a year ago, there has been little to no contact and no financial help from them at all. When they moved into our house they had just completed their junior year of high school. They've now graduated and are trying to go on to college. Both are great kids, good students and no trouble at all. The high school considered them "homeless" and they received free school lunch and breakfast, free bus tickets, and all fees for taking the SATs, sending transcripts, etc. were waived. They also both receive food stamps. Both girls filed their own tax returns for 2009 and claimed themselves.

By FAFSA rules, they are dependent on their parents, even though they don't live with them and haven't in over a year. Parents have refused to provide any financial information. We've been to the financial aid offices, they've written letters, the guidance counselor from high school has written letters and DH and I have written letters, signed and had notarized affidavits done, etc. They still cannot receive any aid.

While I certainly don't begrudge your child the aid she's been given, this is one of the reasons why I think the whole system is flawed.

dear lord - there has got to be a way for those poor girls! bless their hearts. could they somehow be legally declared abandoned / homeless and then take that as proof? maybe by getting a consultation with legal aid? if legal aid did it they need to get on a waiting list like asap!

 

[luvsJack]

While I see what you are saying, how is this any different than parents that are still married to each other, kick their children out after high school graduation and who refuse to provide financial information? Your child receives aid, but the child with married parents doesn't.

I have 19 y.o. twins that live me and DH. They are completely unrelated to us. Their parents moved out of state a year ago, there has been little to no contact and no financial help from them at all. When they moved into our house they had just completed their junior year of high school. They've now graduated and are trying to go on to college. Both are great kids, good students and no trouble at all. The high school considered them "homeless" and they received free school lunch and breakfast, free bus tickets, and all fees for taking the SATs, sending transcripts, etc. were waived. They also both receive food stamps. Both girls filed their own tax returns for 2009 and claimed themselves.

By FAFSA rules, they are dependent on their parents, even though they don't live with them and haven't in over a year. Parents have refused to provide any financial information. We've been to the financial aid offices, they've written letters, the guidance counselor from high school has written letters and DH and I have written letters, signed and had notarized affidavits done, etc. They still cannot receive any aid.

While I certainly don't begrudge your child the aid she's been given, this is one of the reasons why I think the whole system is flawed.

We have had students in similar situations. Were the girls not made wards of the court? That would change dependency status.

Being considered homeless should do the same thing. We had two girls register this week in that situation. Each brought in a letter from the town they live in stating that they are homeless and both were able to change their dependency status. Keep talking to FA officers and ask to speak to the director of FA. Someone should be able to find help for these girls.

There are kids that slip through the cracks and the FA office has to watch for those trying to scam the system; but there are ways to get help to those that need it.

By FAFSA rules they are dependent students but there are exceptions to the rules.









The pp is correct many times child support does end at 18 and FAFSA usually goes on the household income for the year prior (2010-11 school year based on 2009 income) but there are special circumstances forms for that. The parent would just need to show that they are no longer receiving child support.



As for the use of financial aid for things other than school: If someone receives a full pell grant for the year (starting this fall $2775 per semester), and tuition is only 1050.00 (what it would be at our comm. college) and they pay $525 for books, that leaves $1200 for gas to get to school, school meals, school supplies, etc. So the student receives a refund of $1200. That is theirs to spend pretty much how they want. The assumption would be that prior to receiving the refund they were already buying gas, supplies and food and so they are just being paid back. If they choose to spend it going to Disney, that is their business. Now, you cannot go get a student loan over and above the amount of tuition and tell the FA officer that you need a car or a vacation, etc.--it is illegal for the FA office to allow you to have the loan then as it is only to be used for certain expenditures. But, remember, too, if a kid is getting a scholarship and spends THAT money on a car, vacation or whatever; that is perfectly within that kid's rights. Its different kinds of money.


I do think that there could be changes to the system. BUT, it used to be different. Many years ago a student only had to show rent receipts or utility bills and that proved their were independent. But too many people took advantage of that and it was easy to do. So, they took that away and made it harder to prove independence.

I do think the age should be lowered, 24 is a bit old to have to show parent's income. I know a LOT of 23 year olds that haven't depended on Mom and Dad for many years. Of course there are 30 year olds that ARE living off their parents and attending school and getting lots of financial aid.

I don't think that both parents should have to show income, in the case of divorce, but I think that anytime only one parent's income is used the student should have to produce the divorce papers to show what the court's decision was as to custody, support, payment for tuition, etc.

 

[LisaR]

Totally 100% false.Well, it COULD end up being used for beer or drugs. Some kids get so much scholarship /financial aid that they actually get money back. It depends upon their choices I did a couple semesters, but I needed every penny for books and other real educational expenses. Here's an example:

To keep numbers easy, let's say that a certain school charges $5000 in tuition and $5000 for room/board. Both students recieve a merit-scholarship for $5000, and both students get a Pell Grant for $2500. (Let's not quibble over whether that's realistic -- that's not the point.)

Student #1 lives on campus, so his total college bill is $10,000. The school gets checks for his $5000 scholarship and his $2500 Pell Grant, and they send the student a bill for $2500 -- he owes them more money.

Student #2 lives in an off-campus apartment, so the college only bills him $5000 for tuition. The college gives him a "refund check" for $2500, which he then needs to use for rent, gas, and other living expenses during college. And he's going to need more money throughout the year for these things, but that's kind of "invisible" when you're talking about the tuition bill in the fall. It's not illegal or unethical at all for this student to use that money for groceries, etc. (no more than it's wrong for Student #1 to use the money towards an on-campus meal plan). Taking a vacation or buying a new car is questionable morally, but not illegal. I was actually about to tell a similar story. The students in my story are twins, excellent students (#1 and #2 in their graduating class), and both received academic scholarships. Their mother's income was very low, but their father's income was very high. Their father was willing to pay for them to go to school . . . but given that they were totally eligible for financial aid, he chose to use his money to help his children in other ways. Fair? Nope. Legal? Yep. Which is evidence that college costs can be unfair in a number of different ways.But in many cases -- like the twins I mentioned above -- child support ends at age 18/high school graduation. So it's no longer considered income for the mother (thinking typical situation here: father paying, mother raising the children). The father may still be paying numerous things for the children, BUT it's not income to the mother any longer: It's gifts directly to the children. And this is the opposite of the twins I know. In the case of the kids I know, they really don't need the money -- but are going to take it because it's legally available to them. In the case of the kids you know, they desperately need it and cannot get it.

You're right: The system is flawed.

But if student #2 uses the money for beer and drugs or a Disney vacation, chances are likely that s/he will not be able to pay rent, utilities, groceries, etc and now s/he will be up a creek without a paddle. That money will have to come from somewhere or else that student will find themselves dropping out of school.

Look, I don't think for a minute that there aren't people out there that cheat the system. There are cheaters in this world; young, old, rich, poor, black and white. They exist. Unlike welfare, college tends to weed out the slackers. If they don't study, show up for class, or pay their bills, there are generally fairly quick penalties for their actions. I am sure someone will have a story about a total slacker that made it through college. Again, there are exceptions to everything.

I am willing to cut most people some slack and say that if they went to the effort of applying themselves in high school enough to receive scholarships and went through the long process to get financial aid, they probably have a desire to get an education.

 

[imsayin]

So if I get divorced & have custody of my kids, FAFSA will only count my income + any child support I receive? My ex's money will not be considered? Is it bad to think of divorce as a financial planning tool?

 

[Darcy03231]

We have had students in similar situations. Were the girls not made wards of the court? That would change dependency status.

Being considered homeless should do the same thing. We had two girls register this week in that situation. Each brought in a letter from the town they live in stating that they are homeless and both were able to change their dependency status. Keep talking to FA officers and ask to speak to the director of FA. Someone should be able to find help for these girls.

There are kids that slip through the cracks and the FA office has to watch for those trying to scam the system; but there are ways to get help to those that need it.

By FAFSA rules they are dependent students but there are exceptions to the rules.

The pp is correct many times child support does end at 18 and FAFSA usually goes on the household income for the year prior (2010-11 school year based on 2009 income) but there are special circumstances forms for that. The parent would just need to show that they are no longer receiving child support.



As for the use of financial aid for things other than school: If someone receives a full pell grant for the year (starting this fall $2775 per semester), and tuition is only 1050.00 (what it would be at our comm. college) and they pay $525 for books, that leaves $1200 for gas to get to school, school meals, school supplies, etc. So the student receives a refund of $1200. That is theirs to spend pretty much how they want. The assumption would be that prior to receiving the refund they were already buying gas, supplies and food and so they are just being paid back. If they choose to spend it going to Disney, that is their business. Now, you cannot go get a student loan over and above the amount of tuition and tell the FA officer that you need a car or a vacation, etc.--it is illegal for the FA office to allow you to have the loan then as it is only to be used for certain expenditures. But, remember, too, if a kid is getting a scholarship and spends THAT money on a car, vacation or whatever; that is perfectly within that kid's rights. Its different kinds of money.


I do think that there could be changes to the system. BUT, it used to be different. Many years ago a student only had to show rent receipts or utility bills and that proved their were independent. But too many people took advantage of that and it was easy to do. So, they took that away and made it harder to prove independence.

I do think the age should be lowered, 24 is a bit old to have to show parent's income. I know a LOT of 23 year olds that haven't depended on Mom and Dad for many years. Of course there are 30 year olds that ARE living off their parents and attending school and getting lots of financial aid.

I don't think that both parents should have to show income, in the case of divorce, but I think that anytime only one parent's income is used the student should have to produce the divorce papers to show what the court's decision was as to custody, support, payment for tuition, etc.

They weren't made wards of the court because they were 18 in April of their junior year. The parents moved right after they turned 18.