Hi! This might be a dumb question: my son will go to UVA in the Fall of 2016. When the FAFSA was due, we could not do it because we were still in the application stage for a Green Card (we were non-eligible non-citizens for FAFSA). But that changed today! We are so delighted that we are now permanent residents, but can we still do a FAFSA now? Also, we are a high-income family, so we will probably not receive anything - should we still do it?
Yes, you can still file. You may not qualify for anything other than student loans. However, the school may have some merit awards that were only available to FAFSA filers (some may require citizenship).
You have little to lose by filing.
UVA has a priority filing date of March 1. Also, there isn’t a whole lot of merit aid, but you won’t know if you don’t file.
The OP said they didn’t think they would qualify for need based aid.
The FAFSA can be filed any time during the academic year if the student would like to take the Direct Loan. So…this family could file the FAFSA now, so their kiddo could get the $5500 Direct Loan for freshman year.
File the FAFSA so that your son has access to student loans if you find that he needs them. Also, drop a line to the admissions office and financial aid office to let them know his status has changed. That way the information will be in his records there.
And a big congratulations to you!
Thanks guys! Will go and do it tomorrow. Another question from a “learning about college” family: The$5500 Direct Loan - when does one repay it? And what is the interest on it?