<p>I just submitted DD's renewal and very estimated FAFSA. When I got to the question (#67) "how many poeple in the question above will be college students in 2007-08?" I answered 2. Now...here is what it says on the worksheet "Always count yourself. Do not include your parents. Include others only if they will attend college at least half time in 2007-2008 in a program that leads to a college degree or certificate." SO...DS is applying to grad school and if accepted he WILL be in a program leading to a college degree...a MASTER's Degree. This question and the info does not state undergrad degree...just college degree. OK...did I goof or what? I thought the FAFSA ONLY considered undergrad student enrollment...not grad, and yet, this question is a bit misleading, in my opinion. HELP...so do I have to wait for the SAR and then amend the stupid thing. Or what. Now even <em>I</em> am confused.</p>
<p>Will you still be providing most of her support in 07/08? Then it looks like she qualifies (even if living away from home).</p>
<p>Here are (the slightly different) instructions for FAFSA online on this question:</p>
<p>Number of college students in parents' household. This question asks about the number of household members who, in 2007-08, are or will be enrolled in a postsecondary school. Count yourself as a college student. Include others only if they will be attending at least half time in an approved program during 2007-08 that leads to a degree or certificate at a postsecondary school eligible to participate in any of the federal student aid programs. Do not include your parents. Also do not include a student at a U.S. military academy because the family is not expected to contribute to their academy student's postsecondary education.</p>
<p>No, wait. I just reread your post. When they say "always count yourself" they're referring to the student who is applying for aid (not you, the parent filing out the app). But I think you're correct by replying "2" because it appears both of the kids qualify for this question. I think. :)</p>
<p>Yes....we will be providing more than half the support for the kid in grad school (unless he gets some kind of full fellowship....but I doubt that...in fact I have my doubts whether or not he'll actually get accepted...but I won't be able to change that until April). The grad school kid has about $2500 in assets. We will still declare him as a dependent on our taxes. He is an independent student for his own finaid application as he will have completed his first bachelor's degree...but that question on the FAFSA doesn't mention that at all. I have to tell you I'm stumped.</p>
<p>I am not sure if this is school dependent or not- but I also found this info re how many students to say are enrolled.</p>
<p>When determining eligibility for institutional aid, no allowance will be given for those family members enrolled in graduate or professional schools. Graduate and professional students can be considered financially independent from parents for federal financial aid purposes and therefore have access to higher loan limits to help finance their cost of education.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>When determining eligibility for institutional aid, no allowance will be given for those family members enrolled in graduate or professional schools>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Emerald...doesn't institutional aid usually involve the Profile? This school does NOT use the Profile for finaid renewals.Also...the FAFSA in question is being filed for the kid who is the undergrad. Her brother...the grad student knows he is independent as far as the FAFSA is concerned, and no parent (or sibling) information is given.</p>
<p>I think in this context, "institutional aid" refers to aid provided by the college itself (as opposed to federal or state aid). "Institutional Methodology" refers to the formula used by the Profile, and by schools that use the Profile.</p>
<p>EK-- where did that statement come from? What was the context?</p>
<p>Of all people, Thumper! One of the great gurus of CC fin aid! Just goes to show you how these forms can be so confusing. The rule of thumb that I have heard about filling these suckers out is to err in your favor because, though you can give money back, coffers may be dry by the time, aid is distributed on some things when you change your answers and resubmit.</p>
<p>Institutional aid does often use PROFILE-
I was thinking the question was regarding whether to cite the older student on the younger students FAFSA as "attending"</p>
<p><a href="http://www.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtml</a>
I can't figure out if it is kosher to use the grad student as "independent" when filing for his aid package- but count him as "dependent" when filing for his sisters package</p>
<p>To tell you the truth, this should be better explained on the FAFSA worksheet. It clearly says "enrolled in college pursuing a degree or certificate program". Nothing about it having to be an undergraduate program...not anywhere. So...for now, I'll leave it. I have to amend the stinking thing anyway when I complete the taxes. By that time, maybe I'll know the REAL answer. And yes Cptofthehouse...it's confusing. I honestly thought there was a question about the year of college for all the students...but it's ONLY for the student for which the FAFSA is being used. As mentioned...DD does not need to do the Profile for finaid renewal.</p>
<p>See - this is just depressing. If Thumper can't fill out the $&#^@ FAFSA form correctly, then who can???? Can you just imagine the fraudulently (by mistake) filled out forms there are kicking around out there?! I mean, I can't even believe KIDS try to fill out these dumb things.</p>
<p>"I can't figure out if it is kosher to use the grad student as "independent" when filing for his aid package- but count him as "dependent" when filing for his sisters package."</p>
<p>But that's not what thumper1 has done here. The Grad Student is "independent" by definition, for financial aid purposes. She's not claiming him as "dependent" on any financial aid form-- rather, she's included him in her household number, for which there are different criteria (a son or daughter for whom you provide 51% of support qualifies). </p>
<p>A student can be "independent" for finaid purposes, and still live at home. And a son/daughter can live away from home, and still be included in the household number. Confusing, eh?</p>
<p>Then there's "dependents" for tax purposes, which is a whole different thing.</p>
<p>I think you are right sblake
I found where it indicates that
( from the above finaid org)
Unlike most questions on the financial aid application, which focus on the base year, the questions about the number of people in the household and the number of family members in college are concerned with the award year. So if the mother is pregnant the unborn child counts toward the household size, but does not count toward an independent student status determination. (Strange!) Also note that if there's been a medical determination that there'll be multiple births, all of the unborn children can be counted.</p>
<p>I have counted my son and daughter (and husband and me) as members of our household (four). Of those four, TWO will be attending college...pursuing college degrees. My confusion is that I really thought that the FAFSA only allowed for undergrad college students...but both the worksheet AND the form itself do not say that. They say only that the student(s) must be enrolled in college pursuing degrees or certificates. No mention of grad or undergrad. On the potential grad student's FAFSA, he is counted as only himself because on HIS FAFSA he is considered independent (that is clear because he will have his initial bachelor's degree prior to fall 2007...which is when this FAFSA is for). Honestly, I've shown this to my husband...and he says my interpretation is what he would have done. I showed it to several friends...no one can figure out why the grad student shouldn't be counted as a family member (not counting parents) who will be attending college. If the FAFSA only wants undergrad, then one would think that on the worksheet, they would clearly state "in an undergraduate degree or certificate program"...it doesn't say that. Yep...I'm confused.</p>
<p>The following also came from the link Emerald posted. Note...no mention of "undergraduate" in the paragraph. Oh brother.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Increasing the number of family members enrolled in college and pursuing a degree or certificate at the same time. The family contribution is split among all family members who will be enrolled in college, so the more family members in college, the greater financial need for each. >></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Increasing the number of family members enrolled in college and pursuing a degree or certificate at the same time. The family contribution is split among all family members who will be enrolled in college</p>
<p>Thats where it confuses me too since I * know that * even if both parents are attending college, they don't "count" for their dependents attending college on the FAFSA</p>
<p>If I may, I would like to use this forum as a place to ask something: why are parents not counted? There is a good chance that both my D and I will be attending college full-time this fall, which will mean a big change in our income and the amount of money we spend on college. Why doesn't FAFSA have a place for that?</p>
<p>It will count on * your EFC* that your daughter will be attending college,
It won't count on * her EFC* that you are attending college.
Don't ask me why, I suppose because Congress figures parents already did that?</p>
<p>IrishMom - I think the reason parents are not counted is because in the past some parents were playing the system by saying they were going to college on FAFSA, enrolling and paying for a few classes but not continuing to attend. So they changed the law to stop people from doing this. It is however something that may be looked at on a case by case basis and there is a possibility of a professional adjustment.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Parents should go back to school to further their own education at the same time as their children, or have multiple children in college at the same time. The more family members in college simultaneously, the more aid will be available to each. (Note: This strategy is not as effective as it once was, as whether the parents count is now an item subject to professional judgment review. The school will want to see documentation that the parent is genuinely pursuing a degree, since this is prone to fraud. Many schools will merely reduce income by the amount the family spends for the parent's educatoin, instead of increasing the number in college figure.)
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<p>from <a href="http://www.finaid.com/fafsa/maximize.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.com/fafsa/maximize.phtml</a></p>
<p>I just checked with my favorite financial aid administrator, who was last year's chief honcho of NASFAA. He tells me that if your student in grad school is receiving at least half of his support from you while in grad school, you may count him as a college student. He says some colleges will expect you to verify that you are supporting him to this degree. He notes that if a student IS receiving a fellowship, it becomes very difficult to justify saying that he/she is receiving half support from the parent. Hope this helps!</p>