<p>You need to ask the financial aid director at Hopkins and at any other school where you are applying if you are eligible for financial aid in subsequent years if you do not apply the first year. Also ask if there are circumstances that make this an issue. At some schools, you are permitted to apply in subsequent years only if certain changes in financial situation occur, such as the loss of job, business, additional child in college. I would call and get the specifics about this.</p>
<p>As far as FAFSA goes, you can fill out the estimators and get an EFC which will make you eligible for certain government loans and grants. Given your mother’s situation, you are unlikely to qualify for PELL and related grants. You should also complete an institutional estimator and find out what that number is which will give you a closer idea of what Hopkins will expect your family to pay. </p>
<p>If your mother is not married, she would be filing taxes separately from her partner and the back up for these financial aid forms are the tax forms. You should have a copy of her tax form as a guide and a current list of assets when you fill out the estimators as you will need those numbers. There may be questions on the PROFILE regarding monies your mother gets from her partner, and depending on that situation, could be something that may be of interest to the college. If selected for audit, this could come up. I believe Hopkins does what verification documents , tax return, maybe. </p>
<p>You can get the Stafford and PLUS loans without applying for aid from the university. You can complete the FAFSA and still be a “no” for financial aid. You need the PROFILE or other form for colleges like JHU to come up with their own money most of the time. </p>
<p>The most important thing for you and others to do, is to make sure you apply to some schools that you know you and your family can afford and that will take you. Then you can take your chances with all of the financial and admissions reaches. Sometimes you may be surprised to get a nice aid or merit package or appalled that you don’t get any aid outside of loans. That’s why you want some sure things on your list. Those are the most important schools and the hardest to pick.</p>