Sharing College Info

[gometros]

I am also concerned about filling out the FAFSA since I know I will not get the information for filling out taxes until the end of January. Last year, I had a huge income even though I wasn't working due to the receipt of money from my employer upon my retirement. This year, my income will be very small. If I were to use last year's return, I know she wouldn't qualify. This year, because I am retired and we are basically living off my savings, I think she has a much better chance. Will it be detrimental if we don't file the FAFSA until February?

You can do an estimated taxes for the FAFSA.

 

[Feralpeg]

You can do an estimated taxes for the FAFSA.

Thank you! That is great news.

 

[gometros]

Thank you! That is great news.

I should clarify one thing. When you do the estimated, you check off that is what you are doing on the FAFSA form. You do have to provide the correct, current information later on. But schools want the information as soon after january 1st as possible. I really ought to get my DW on this thread. She's the expert. After putting two children through college, we're now in the middle of the process for the third and last one. I think my wife is the world's expert on FAFSA forms They can be quite daunting.

As far as acceptances accompanied by scholarships offers, our experience is that doesn't come until after the FAFSA deadline. A lot of early acceptances are from schools with rolling admissions or early decision applications. I always discourage people who are looking for financial age from applying early decision, since acceptance means you're committed to the school. We're having that battle with my daughter now. She wanted to apply early decision to Cornell, but we wouldn't let her. She heard that three kids from her school who rank lower than her were accepted early decision and that lessens her chance of getting, because in her mind, there are less spots available.

 

[Feralpeg]

I should clarify one thing. When you do the estimated, you check off that is what you are doing on the FAFSA form. You do have to provide the correct, current information later on. But schools want the information as soon after january 1st as possible. I really ought to get my DW on this thread. She's the expert. After putting two children through college, we're now in the middle of the process for the third and last one. I think my wife is the world's expert on FAFSA forms They can be quite daunting.

As far as acceptances accompanied by scholarships offers, our experience is that doesn't come until after the FAFSA deadline. A lot of early acceptances are from schools with rolling admissions or early decision applications. I always discourage people who are looking for financial age from applying early decision, since acceptance means you're committed to the school. We're having that battle with my daughter now. She wanted to apply early decision to Cornell, but we wouldn't let her. She heard that three kids from her school who rank lower than her were accepted early decision and that lessens her chance of getting, because in her mind, there are less spots available.

Thanks again. That makes perfect sense. Gosh, I'm glad I only have to do this once. Good luck to your daughter. I hope she gets into Cornell!

 

[Puffy2]

Originally Posted by Feralpeg
I think doing community service sounds like a great way to make friends and have fun. Since I really don't want her to hold down a job while in college, this would be a great alternative.

No, she wants to major in history. As much as she loves acting, she loves history more. Her goal is to become an expert historian and perhaps produce historical films. She'd like to do films directed toward children that would make them more interested in history. She currently is a student assistant to the history teacher at her school. She just doesn't understand why the kids don't love history the way she does. She wants to correct that situation.

One word of advice from another history major - she needs to get used to the idea that if she wants a job, she will have to immediately go to graduate school.
After the 4 year degree in history with a minor in education, I was unable to find work - ended up returning to school to become a registered nurse which I actually enjoyed much more.

 

[Holly]

Another history major here.

I'm now back in college working on a degree in social work and humanics.

 

[chrissyk]

I should clarify one thing. When you do the estimated, you check off that is what you are doing on the FAFSA form. You do have to provide the correct, current information later on. But schools want the information as soon after january 1st as possible. I really ought to get my DW on this thread. She's the expert. After putting two children through college, we're now in the middle of the process for the third and last one. I think my wife is the world's expert on FAFSA forms They can be quite daunting.

As far as acceptances accompanied by scholarships offers, our experience is that doesn't come until after the FAFSA deadline. A lot of early acceptances are from schools with rolling admissions or early decision applications. I always discourage people who are looking for financial age from applying early decision, since acceptance means you're committed to the school. We're having that battle with my daughter now. She wanted to apply early decision to Cornell, but we wouldn't let her. She heard that three kids from her school who rank lower than her were accepted early decision and that lessens her chance of getting, because in her mind, there are less spots available.

What is she going to major in? Is she applying for the Ag. school with the in-state tuition, or to regular Cornell? I think that your shot at Cornell has a lot to do with your major. A young woman majoring in engineering might have a better shot at admission and aid than one majoring in a liberal arts major (where there are already a lot of females in the department). Good luck to her! I hope that she gets in. I know 4 wonderful Cornell grads who loved their college experiences there very much (and yes, the young women were all engineers and all got good aid)

 

[chrissyk]

One word of advice from another history major - she needs to get used to the idea that if she wants a job, she will have to immediately go to graduate school.
After the 4 year degree in history with a minor in education, I was unable to find work - ended up returning to school to become a registered nurse which I actually enjoyed much more.

In FL, she'd have a decent shot at becoming a teacher through "Time to Teach," as she would be subject-matter qualified with a straight history major. There seems to be a shortage of teachers in every subject in a lot of growing areas of FL.

 

[DVCLiz]

Well, SAT scores from December 3rd were published today. DD brought her Critical Reading up 20 points, but dropped her Math by the same number of points. She did up her Writing score, but more schools are not considering that. So, all in all, it was a wash. For those of you waiting to hear, you can look your scores up today on the College Board website.

Peg, my daughter's schools take the best score for math and the best score for critical reading, then combine them for her SAT score. So you can add those 20 points from CR this time and use her Math score from last time - does that help a little bit???

 

[gometros]

What is she going to major in? Is she applying for the Ag. school with the in-state tuition, or to regular Cornell? I think that your shot at Cornell has a lot to do with your major. A young woman majoring in engineering might have a better shot at admission and aid than one majoring in a liberal arts major (where there are already a lot of females in the department). Good luck to her! I hope that she gets in. I know 4 wonderful Cornell grads who loved their college experiences there very much (and yes, the young women were all engineers and all got good aid)

I only wish. We went to visit the School of Human Ecology, which is a grant aided school - not really the state side, but the tuition is less. She also wants to major in history, with a minor in PoliSci, but the school really wasn't what she wanted. It woulodn't be fair to force her into a direction she would be unhappy with just for the savings. Her brother is graduating Cornell Engineering this year, so I know what you mean. He loved it enough to stay an extra year

 

[Feralpeg]

One word of advice from another history major - she needs to get used to the idea that if she wants a job, she will have to immediately go to graduate school.
After the 4 year degree in history with a minor in education, I was unable to find work - ended up returning to school to become a registered nurse which I actually enjoyed much more.

She is somewhat lucky in that she attends a private school that is planning on expanding and will be looking for teachers in the future. They all love her there and have already indicated that they would like her to teach there once she graduates. Since she wants to write and produce historical films, this might be a great deal for her. She could use the time in the summers to work on her films and teach the remainder of the time.

Of course, she is also telling me that she would like to do graduate work in England. We'll see about that when the time comes.

 

[Feralpeg]

Peg, my daughter's schools take the best score for math and the best score for critical reading, then combine them for her SAT score. So you can add those 20 points from CR this time and use her Math score from last time - does that help a little bit???

It does help, but it still doesn't move her to the next level. It's okay. I'm happy she secured the 75 percent level.

 

[DVCLiz]

It does help, but it still doesn't move her to the next level. It's okay. I'm happy she secured the 75 percent level.

Absolutely!! That's a great program to be able to take advantage of.

DD got an acceptance letter this week from College of Charleston, so we know she has at least one option!!!!! Hope we hear some more good news soon...

 

[Feralpeg]

Absolutely!! That's a great program to be able to take advantage of.

DD got an acceptance letter this week from College of Charleston, so we know she has at least one option!!!!! Hope we hear some more good news soon...

Congrats to your DD! That first one really comes with a sigh of relief. Like you said, at least you have an option. I felt exactly the same way. The second one is gravy! LOL!

 

[Feralpeg]

I thought I'd give a quick update.

DD sent in her acceptance to Florida State University today. I finished the FAFSA and applied for Florida Bright Futures. She applied for housing at FSU. Now, we need to sign up for the mandatory orientation.

I'm glad she finally made her decision. I would have liked her to accept UCF so that she would be closer, but she really wants to go to FSU.

 

[Mary Anne]

We have only heard from one school so far and that was an acceptance. How many of you are still waiting for anytype of word from schools.

FeralPeg, I'm glad for you to have a decision made. When my youngest son does this in 2 years, I'm going to push for early decisions. This waiting is getting to me.

 

[Puffy2]

I should clarify one thing. When you do the estimated, you check off that is what you are doing on the FAFSA form. You do have to provide the correct, current information later on. But schools want the information as soon after january 1st as possible. I really ought to get my DW on this thread. She's the expert. After putting two children through college, we're now in the middle of the process for the third and last one. I think my wife is the world's expert on FAFSA forms They can be quite daunting.

Can you explain how exactly this is done with the "estimated tax"? If I have the last pay stub from Dec. should I be able to fill the form out? And how do you go about updating?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

DD applied to six, early action, and got all acceptances...one with a full scholarship. At first we were a little disappointed, because that college wasn't a top choice, and we had that hanging over our heads. Now, she's been talking to a lot of people who go or went there, and will visit soon, and perhaps that's the route she'll go. She has until May 1 to make a final decision. It sure would be nice if she really wanted to go there!

She and DH are working on the FAFSA to get it done by this weekend. Those forms made me in my college days, and I'm sure they're more complicated now. (Isn't everything?)

 

[msdznyduck]

still waiting to hear from DS's first choice school

Hopefully we'll hear soon.

 

[DVCLiz]

Keep your fingers crossed - today is Notification Day from UNC - Chapel Hill for those who applied Early Action. It's not DD's first choice, but I know she'll be disappointed if she's deferred or declined. Hope my alum status will help!!!