Financial Aid Applications

[dragynally]

 Any one else feeling the 'joy' that comes with filling out finaid apps? The FAFSA isn't available til Jan. 1st but the need access is up now. I started my taxes and I have a new found respect for what my mom does every year. Anyway had to rant...Pleae tell me I'm not alone.

Comments

[cardoorgraffiti]

ugh, I can *feel* my brain exploding already...

FAFSA is a waste of my time, but I've got to fill it out to see *if* I can possibly qualify for a grant. Neither I nor anyone in my family can afford to pay anything out of pocket for grad school, but I don't qualify anything because my family situation is outside of their need-based finaid qualifications - and they give us a completely ridiculous EFC [that formula they use is crap!].

[brittdreams]

As a graduate student you ARE considered independent. Assuming you didn't make a lot of money in 08, you should be eligible for subsidized federal loans (Stafford, Perkins, or both).

[cardoorgraffiti]

This is true - if you're already enrolled *as* a graduate student

[brittdreams]

They determine the money based on your 2008 income. They determine status based on what you'll be in the period you're applying for aid. So, if you do the 09-10 FAFSA and apply as a full-time graduate student (because that's what you're planning to be then), you get counted as an independent student.

[cardoorgraffiti]

This is true - if you're already enrolled *as* a graduate student

[brittdreams]

It's also true if you're going to be a graduate student in the year for which you're applying for aid. It's based on 08 income and 09-10 student status.

[brittdreams]

Just to clarify. Your tax status and FAFSA status are independent. My mom still claims me as a dependent though per the FAFSA I'm an independent. They are NOT the same thing.

The second to last paragraph you wrote makes no sense to me. FAFSA is going to consider you as an independent. You can file your 09 taxes however you want, provided it follows IRS rules.