I got accepted to UMD Spring. If I go to another school, say UMBC or HCC, will my FAFSA update based on where I go? I heard that FAFSA gives you a lump sum for a year, and if I change schools mid year, I will be left with what is remaining from my FAFSA. UMBC and HCC are way less than UMD, and if I go to UMD, I would also have to dorm (but I would commute to HCC or UMBC). I also heard that FAFSA for spring is a different ball game to apply for, and that it’s more complicated. So, if I go to UMBC or HCC for the Fall semester, I can’t edit my FAFSA and receive more money for UMD? Also, what would my best option be in regards to what I should do for Fall?
First…FAFSA doesn’t give you money. It is a financial aid application form. You submit it to the colleges you plan to attend. In order to get need based aid, you MUST be a student matriculating towards a degree.
The FAFSA you will complete for,the spring 2017 term is the 2016-2017 FAFSA. It is the SAME FAFSA as the one you would,complete if you were enrolling in the fall 2016 term. It is not more complicated…it is the same.
But here is the difference.
For spring, you may find that UMD-CP doesn’t have as much institutional money left to award you…as much if that will have been awarded to students enrolling in the fall.
Will you be seeking a degree at the community college? If not, I don’t think you can get need based aid there. You would need to apply for admission, be admitted AND submit your FAFSA to that community college.
You would also need to submit the FAFSA to UMD. It doesn’t just automatically get sent there. You need to submit it.
If you get financial aid from the community college, that won’t mean a thing in terms of aid at UMD. They are different colleges.
You are misunderstanding fed aid.
You’re thinking that when you transfer in the spring to a more expensive school that suddenly you’re going to get a lot more money. You won’t. Fafsa is fo fed aid which isn’t much.
Run the NPC for UMD and copy/paste your results here.
BTW…what is your current EFC?
You need to submit your FAFSA to UMD if you want them to award you ANY aid in that spring term.
If you are eligible for the Pell Grant, you will be eligible for half of it for that spring term…assuming you attend full time in a degree seeking program. You would be eligible for a $5500 Direct Loan FOR THE YEAR. If you didn’t use any of the Direct Loan for the fall term, you would be able to use the full amount in the spring term.
But all of this requires SUBMITTING your FAFSA to UMD. Your aid will not “transfer” or magically appear when you switch schools. You have to apply.