<p>I apologize if this is in the wrong forum. </p>
<p>My D just gained acceptance to a graduate program. She is still waiting to hear from other schools so has not officially decided on this particular school. Since it is one of her top choices, however, she will definitely be attending a grad school program next year, whether this school or another, depending on the outcome of her applications.</p>
<p>Does she fill out the FAFSA NOW or wait until she enrolls in a school? Also, since it is graduate school, do OUR finances figure in (we will not be financing this) or is financial aid based on her situation alone?</p>
<p>The questions are not dumb, but the answers vary.</p>
<p>Yes, she should fill out the FAFSA now. She will not use your information. SOME schools, mostly med and law schools, do require parent info for purposes of awarding their own aid - but it is never part of the FAFSA EFC for a grad student. </p>
<p>Grad aid is limited. Students can borrow up to $20,500 in a Direct Unsubsidized loan annually (no sub for grad students). Some schools may have the subsidized Perkins loan available for grad students, and maximum award amounts vary. Students can borrow Direct Graduate PLUS loans; these require a credit check so are not guaranteed. Some schools have Federal Work Study for grad students. Some schools have grants and scholarships. If the school asks for parent info, it is used when awarding grants (and possibly when awarding scholarships). Some health-related majors may be eligible for special health-related loans.</p>
<p>This would probably have been better in the Graduate School forum but it is a financial aid question.</p>
<p>The information you have not provided is important. That is, what kind of program is your D attending, a Professional Masters, M.S. or Ph.D. and what is her field? The answer depends on this.</p>
<p>If she is going for a Ph.D., she should be supported by the department as a TA or RA (depending on the field). The one exception is if she is being offered a [GAANN</a> Fellowship](<a href=“http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gaann/index.html]GAANN”>Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need) which requires a FAFSA to set the stipend level of the student. These assistantships or fellowships will generally cover full tuition at the very least and likely a stipend in addition so that the student is able to live on the total without taking on debt. It won’t be a life of luxury but it should meet the cost of living. If she is contemplating self-funding a Ph.D. that is really a bad idea. She needs to choose a program that supports her even if it is not her dream school.</p>
<p>If she is going for a M.S. or M.A., then it is possible that the university will not provide funding. In this case, since the time to degree is usually 2 years or less, then taking loans is a reasonable thing to do and a FAFSA is necessary to qualify for certain ones. Since she is an adult, she needs to fill it out for herself and that can be done at any time once she has decided which schools she is considering. The financial aid office will evaluate it when she contacts them about loans. Unlike for undergraduate programs, the university will not offer a financial aid package upon admission. Any financing will be in the form of loans.</p>
<p>Finally for a Professional masters, it is unlikely that any financial aid will be offered by the university in the form of assistantships. She will need to submit a FAFSA as above.</p>
<p>Thank you, xraymancs,
She will be entering a direct entry BSN/MSN program leading to a license as a Nurse Practitioner. Most of the programs are three year.</p>
<p>As mentioned above, some health professions graduate or professional programs may need parental information on the EFC. This can be if the school has Federal Title VII monies to lend. These are ‘better’ loans (such as the Health Professions Student Loan) because interest does not accrue until the repayment period begins.</p>
<p>Submit the FAFSA. I personally have not heard of nursing programs that require parent info on the FAFSA…but the schools will know. Call them and ask if parent info is required.</p>
<p>Then…fill out the FAFSA now…for all the schools your daughter is considering.</p>
<p>“Unlike for undergraduate programs, the university will not offer a financial aid package upon admission. Any financing will be in the form of loans.”</p>
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<p>This is not correct. I am the financial aid director at a grad school. Not only do I offer a financial aid package upon admission … assuming the FAFSA has been filed, meaning it should be filed by my priority deadline … but I offer grants, scholarships, and FWS. Certainly this is not true at all schools, but it is true at some!</p>
<p>You really need to contact the particular grad school about this. They’re used to these questions. Many of their students are financing this part of their education. The school may have some endowed scholarships to award. Who knows. </p>
<p>I doubt that your info will be needed for THIS particular program. There are some rich med schools and rich law schools (ivy types) that offer generous funding to those who come from lower income families, so those few programs will want to see parent income. Those are exceptions.</p>
<p>Even at the state U where I used to work, parental info was needed in order to be considered for need-based institutional grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Primary Care Loans, and Loans to Disadvantaged Students at the med school. It is really important to call the school’s aid office to find out what that particular school requires (it should be on their website, as well).</p>