Hi guys,
I’m applying this year to transfer (and to begin in fall2017 at a respectable institution). I’m 22 - 23 on Feb 19th, and I’m hoping to only have 2-2.5 years left for my undergraduate. I’m fortunate enough to have saved money going to community college for the rest of it. However, I’m about to start filling out my FAFSA and was wondering if anybody had any advice for my situation.
As I said, I’m 22. I’ve been financially “independent” since I was about 18.5. I moved out of my parents house due to an awful relationship (one of those that’s much better when you’re not stuck around each other), and I immediately began working and paying my own expenses. As I type this, I’m on lunch break at work, still doing the same thing. Technically speaking, I don’t make much on my own. 17/hr working full time in accounts payable. Unfortunately, I did not file for emancipation while younger, so now I’m in this awkward phase of being an adult legally but not considered financially independent despite filing my own tax returns and not having my parents’ financial assistance. Do you have any advice for going about getting need-based financial aid? My parents are going to assist as much as they can, but they’re “self-employed” and don’t make a lot of money right now. Because I’m under 24, FAFSA will ask for their information, and on paper they don’t make a lot of money either. How is FAFSA going to see this? Are they going to assume that I make all that money and live with my parents, and therefore expect a higher contribution?
EDIT: I’m not panicking or anything btw. Like I said, I’ve already saved a good amount of money to community college. I’m just not sure how to navigate this sort of situation. I also plan on working during college, I’m not the type of person to sit around and do nothing.
Next year’s FAFSA opens October 1st (tomorrow!), so you can fill it out and see your EFC.
There is no way to appeal a FAFSA to the Department of Education. Instead, you will need to work with the financial aid offices of each college you apply to for special consideration of your circumstances.
Oh gosh I kind-of didn’t process it’s already almost October. I should have time tomorrow to run through my part of it and then hand it over to my parents for their part. Do you think that it’s better to talk to the financial aid office about this kind of situation before or after my acceptance? I know people who have gotten a certain amount of financial aid and then negotiated for a little more because of various circumstances.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. Complete the FAFSA this weekend & see what happens. You’ll see your EFC when you file - post here if you want, and we will offer advice.
It’s a good thing for you if your parents don’t have a high income, because as you’ve already figured out, you are still a dependent for financial aid purposes. Sounds like they are willing to fill out the FAFSA (another good thing). As suggested above, take one step at a time and filing the FAFSA is the first step. Your parents may need some help in completing it. One of them needs a FSA ID (and you do too), and that parent needs to have their taxes and bank statements available to fill out the form.
Fill it out and see what happens, then talk to the FA officer at your school.
Unfortunately the FA office at my school is completely useless, as are all the other offices they have (community college in the east-bay). However, I’ll fill it out today or tomorrow and post my EFC if I can!
I am a financial aid director, so I can answer some questions once you post your EFC. I can’t speak to certain policies your school may have, but I can provide general information.
You wouldn’t talk to the financial aid office at your community college. You need to talk to the financial aid offices of all the schools you are applying to transfer to.
But, wait until you have your EFC and the results of the target schools NPCs, then come back here for advice.
I just wanted to add how admirable I find it that you have been able to save a bit while working through community college, and it sounds like dealing with a complicated situation with your - can I call it a “strained” relationship with your parents. There are a lot of young people who may think its the end of the world when they have to move out of their parents house at 18. I really like the fact that you - and your parents - seem to have improved your relationship, and your noting that living apart from each other is perhaps a big reason for that improvement. You may not realize that someone else reading this may get some peace or hope, if they are now in the situation you were in just a few years back.
You will get good advice from folks here about how to approach the FA dept at the schools you are considering transferring to.
My EFC was 291 by the way, they said I am eligible for a Pell Grant of $5670/year.
It took forever to fill out FAFSA because my parents kept going back and forth with their accountant trying to figure out if they’re unemployed or self employed, the value of the business, debt owed on it.
I can run my NPC for each college but a lot of them specifically say that because I’m a transfer student I shouldn’t bother.
They did, I used the IRS DRT Link tool, but they weren’t sure whether owning a small business constituted being employed if they weren’t making any money, other weird things like that.