From another thread I read that the level of education of one or both parents, as listed on FAFSA, may affect the amount of need-based aid a school will award. When I filled out FAFSA the other day, I put down “college” for both myself and my ex-husband. But now that I think about it, I’m not sure my ex finished a 4-year program. I think he may only have a 2-year type of certificate. Should I go back and amend FAFSA? Would it make any difference in the amount of aid my son receives?
I don’t think the level of education of the parent affects aid. If this is a first generation applicant, it could affect admissions…by this student isn’t first generation anyway.
Since you will need to amend the FAFSA when your taxes are complete, just change it then…as it will then be accurate.
You say you are not sure, and you also say you wonder if you should change it. Should you talk to your ex and find out the right answer first?
Ok thanks to you both. I will check to find out for sure and then change it when I file the official FAFSA version when my taxes are done. (Now that I think about it I’m pretty sure he only has a 2 year degree…but I will check and find out for sure.)
First gen students are generally students whose parents do not have a degree, and have never attended a university.
If one of their parents has a degree, they aren’t first gen,
I * did* say that it may have given my D a tip
In admissions, but it won’t get you more aid.
The college she attended didn’t admit anyone who they were not prepared
To meet full need.
That’s why they are need aware for admittance.
I believe it just says “college or beyond” and not how many years or similar.
When one parent has a four year degree, the child is no longer first gen. Doesn’t matter what the other parent had or doesn’t have.
It doesn’t affect aid anyway. The question, if it’s on FAFSA, is more likely some kind of info gathering data point for the feds…maybe seeing how many students with college educated parents qualify for Pell. It doesn’t affect EFC and schools don’t give more aid because of that answer.
For admissions, being first gen may be a nudge, but that info is on the admissions app, not on FAFSA.
In your case, it’s irrelevant, because one parent (you) does have a four year degree. So your kids grew up with at least one parent who provided a “more educated” atmosphere.
Ok thanks. I won’t worry about it too much. I was getting the info from this article, referenced in another thread in the Financial Aid forum:
http://time.com/money/3654485/more-financial-aid-fafsa/?xid=yahoo_money
Tip #4 is:
I don’t think this would make a difference in our case anyways, just because my ex probably doesn’t have a 4-year degree.
That article is a bit misleading. Being identified as First Gen by a school requires that neither parent has a 4 year degree…not just one.
Ok thanks. 
It is MAYBE possible that there are some financial aid grants in a merit within need situation that are earmarked for certain category of students at any given school. In such situations, it is possible that if the highest level of education a parent has completed is high school, that a student MIGHT be eligible for those funds. How prevalent that is, I do not know.
Usually first generation is something that is determined by an admissions office and can be a boost in admissions to those schools who are seeking such students. A number of the selective schools do take that into consideration in their admissions office. There MIGHT be some merit money that admissions MIGHT give to some such students if the school has such funds.
So yes, there are some possibilities there, but getting money that way is not a probable thing. However, absolutely, go on ahead and give it a go. You and your student might want to check on the websites of the schools on the list and see if any mention first generation consideration. Be aware that most of the time, finanical aid and admissions are two separate entities, so these are often two separate things that I have mentioned above.
You can also ask the financial dept directly if they have any earmarked First generation college award, and Admission if they have scholarships so designated, and if this is something that is a consideration for admissions. That is, if your student qualifies for first generation status at that school. Things often vary from school to school.