Can someone explain this FAFSA differnce to me

Parents Forum
1

California
You must list an eligible in-state college to be considered for state grant aid. The order in which you list the colleges will not impact your eligibility for state aid programs.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/school-list#california

Massachusetts

Grant aid awards will be made for the first eligible college listed on the FAFSA; however, you may update your choice at a later date to receive aid at a different school.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/school-list#massachusetts

2

Does it mean to get federal aid a resident in California can get federal aid only in California

while no such restriction applies in Colleges located in Massachusetts??

3

Folks…they are talking about STATE grant awards…not federal ones.

In some states you need to list your instate college option first on the fafsa to get first consideration for state grant aid.

Although ,I do have a question…colleges can no longer SEE the other schools to which you submit your FAFSA.

@sybbie719 or @kelsmom can States see the other colleges listed on a fafsa for state aid purposes…even though a college can’t see the other colleges?

4

Are you a resident of either state? If not, don’t worry about it because you won’t be getting state aid in California, and very little if any in Mass.

Just list the schools you have applied to.

5

The instructions you cite are for STATE aid. For federal aid, the order in which you list the schools is irrelevant. You can get STATE aid from the state that is your legal residence if you attend an eligible school (usually a public college or university).

The website you linked to is a secondary source. I recommend going directly to the site for your state’s aid program.

6

No,

In NYS, they will just pull the first NYS college. Unless student has divorced parents living in two separate states, just list one school from the state in which you live on the FAFSA. If ** your home state[/] ask to list a school from your home state in the first position then do that. Otherwise, Otis not that serious. If you are a dependent student you will not be receiving state aid in a state where your parent is not a resident of that state

7

Not sure if it matters, but this article says state agencies can still see full college list.
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2015/10/13/3-upcoming-changes-to-the-fafsa-that-college-students-should-understand
I couldn’t find a primary source.