FAFSA
 

I have a FAFSA question. lol...and yeah, I know that there's a part in the FAQ about FAFSA but it doesn't answer my question and I was wondering if you guys knew anything about it.....

Now, I'm not looking for federal aid...AT ALL. However, I was just offered this huge scholarship [not at my dream school but hey, right now, any 4 year university is good enough for me lol] BUT I would have to demonstrate financial need from the FAFSA form. I do have a valid SSN [although not for work purposes] so it wouldn't reject my application due to that fact.

Now, from what I understand from my boyfriend and other random friends who completed the FAFSA, the application is just to see what kind of aid you're eligible for; the school itself gives you a financial aid package. So, my theory is that if I were to submit the application and just refuse all the federal aid, the school would still be able to see that I have "financial need" and I can get the scholarship they are offering.

So, have any of you filled out the FAFSA and done this ^? I don't want to lose a full ride over the fact that I can't fill this stupid form out.

Any comments? And thanks in advance! :D

I'm not sure if it makes a difference and I haven't done this either but there's this site by the University of Houston that says to fill out a PAPER FAFSA and not to mail it to the federal government or to fill it out online. It says to turn it into the financial aid officer at the college/university of your choice.


You can get the TAFSA form here; http://www.uhjifm.org/HB1403.html

Damnit, I wish I lived in TX. FL sucks...:(.

But the paper FAFSA seems like a great idea! I should ask for that when I get an appointment with the financial aid adviser! Thanks! :D

Yeah that's exactly what I was going to tell you. Some schools have their own paper form of the FAFSA for people who cannot, or perhaps do not wish, to fill out the FAFSA, and your fin aid department should know about it, or you may be able to dig it up on the site. If they have one, that should solve your problem and you won't even have to deal with the online FAFSA. :)

Go Coogs! Lol ;)

Re: FAFSA
 

The FAFSA is a great form for not only applying for federal aid but also for coordinating a student's financial situation in one place, so colleges can determine how much financial aid to offer. Just applying for the FAFSA doesn't qualify you to receive any federal aid. Rich high school kids have to file a FAFSA too when they apply to colleges.

When you're filing out the FAFSA, there is a question that asks for your citizenship status. Just mark "Not a citizen or eligible noncitizen". This will automatically disqualify you for any federal financial aid. When the Dept. of Education processes your application, the final report will indicate that the student is not eligible for any federal financial aid and then send this report to your college. The report will also outline your financial situation so the college can award you the scholarship based on need. There is no need to file a paper FAFSA. You can do this online and it works perfectly fine. Just make sure to mark the appropriate choice in the citizenship status question.

This also sounds easy because undocumented students can mark citizen/eligible non-citizen and then apply for federal aid. However, this always fails because the Dept. of Education verifies the student's claim with DHS. If the DHS doesn't respond, the final report will indicate that the Dept. of Education was unable to verify the student's citizenship status. In that case, not only will no federal aid be granted but most colleges will then require you to bring in proof of your citizenship status.

Oh and did I forget to mention, its a federal crime to lie on the FAFSA form. Good luck!!

I guess I will also be filling out a FAFSA...

Hopeful,

I misunderstood you yesterday. I actually filled out the paper FAFSA and turned it in to the Financial Aid office.

I tried to join that club and no one ever replied to my emails!!! :x

Wow, I love you guys! :D

Rahman, your explanation was amazing! [Sounded official as well!] Thanks!


And Abaddon, I probably explained it wrong yesterday so no worries! :D



Whew, now I feel good about the whole financial aid situation! Thanks guys!

Is it for a school in FL?