FAFSA, scholarships, and 1st semester grades

<p>3 questions</p>

<p>Do we have to do FAFSA for the Naval Academy? I haven't seen anything, but I'd rather ask a stupid question than find out too late that I missed something crucial...</p>

<p>At NASS the mids said that I could use the private scholarship I got in ninth grade from our partner in ed...I was going to call the Academy later this week, but does anyone have any experience on how we use this? I know there's some "start up cost" things at the beginning of plebe summer, so I'm hoping this might go for that.</p>

<p>USMA specifically requests first semester grades, but USNA didn't give out a form for them. My finals aren't till this week and we won't have actual grade cards/transcripts for another few weeks, but should/do I send them in to them if I already have an appointment?</p>

<p>It will be interesting to see what you find out about scholarship use at USNA. I've read that upfront costs can be covered but beyond that, no feedback yet. Be sure to let us know what you find out. Some colleges still give cash back to attendees when scholarships exceed the bill, but many have recently changed policy on that.</p>

<p>I have read that USNA will require a final transcript upon HS graduation.</p>

<p>i do believe USNA wants your fall transcript once the semester is complete.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/NAFPRODV/Acct/index.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna.edu/NAFPRODV/Acct/index.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>look around on this website.</p>

<p>and click "what's new"</p>

<p>There is an entrance fee -- can't remember exactly but I think it was about $2400. You (or you parents) pay this upfront to the Academy before I-Day (non-refundable if you drop out) and I would expect you could arrange for your scholarship source to pay this for you.</p>

<p>SparkleandShine -
Thanks for the link. So I gather there is atleast $6000 that can be saved via scholarship. It is uncear weather that is in addition to first year extra issue expense or not.</p>

<p>I wonder if you can charge food at Dry Dock and get that reimbursed? :D</p>

<p>The first year extra issue expense? is that the $2400? because i think we can use scholarship money for that. but its worth the shot!</p>

<p>For classes of 2007 and 2008, entrance fee was $2200. Not sure if it has gone up.</p>

<ol>
<li>My scholarship exceeds the amount of the entrance fee. What happens to the rest of the scholarship? </li>
</ol>

<p>Answer: Scholarships are first used to offset any of the initial issue of uniforms, textbooks, supplies, and the computer. Any remaining funds are forwarded to the Midshipmen Disbursing Officer to be applied against other fees or indebtedness that a midshipman may incur. This includes personal services fees for barber, cobbler, tailor, and room phone service and the repayment of the $6,000 advance for clothing and equipment (ACE).</p>

<p>So what happens with a $10,000 per year scholarship that is renewable for all 4 years? I guess the government gets to keep it eh?</p>

<p>As far as FASFA goes...just do the CSS profile (or use the contribution calculator for an estimate). If parent/student contribution is more that those "expenses" which can be credited at the academy via a scholarship, I would say FASFA would be useless.</p>

<p>Caveat: What if for some reason...USNA does not happen? You may need that CSS Profile and FASFA to afford an alternate school if, God forbid, something changes your plan.</p>

<p>Bottom Line: Do the forms...they can't hurt you, but can certainly help, especially if USNA falls through for unforseen reasons.</p>

<p>If the gov't keep any scholarships I get, lord knows I'm spending it all each year if I can't get cash. Haircuts, phones, the works lol.</p>

<p>The Profile and FASFA are not needed for USNA, however, as pointed out, may be required by other schools you are applying for.</p>

<p>As for scholarships, their use at the academy depends on the terms of the scholarship itself- if they are restricted to the cost of tuition, then they may not apply for use at USNA. To be sure, check with those issuing the scholarship so that there are no surprises. You will need to submit a letter to USNA from the issuing body as to the terms of the scholarship use.</p>

<p>In the case of renewable scholarships, again it depends on the terms of the scholarship, and whether or not use of the funds at USNA is covered within those terms. </p>

<p>A final senior transcript will be requested, sent directly to USNA with your school's seal. It it not uncommon to get a request for mid-term grades as well; send those when you get them.</p>

<p>Some scholarships are totally unrestricted but will only pay to the school. So it is up to the school to cut the unused portion back to you. I reckon USNA has never done that. So...hornetguy has the right idea likely.</p>

<p>In any case, a phone call to the NAF office with the scholarship terms in-hand, should resolve any uncertainties when the time comes.</p>

<p>SparkleandShine: the entrance fee and the first year issue expense are not the same thing. The entrance fee is a fixed dollar amount you pay before I-Day and is not directly related to issued items (e.g. uniforms, computer) or expenses (books, laundry, cobbler, tailor). Your scholarship money most likely can go to the entrance fee, but as noted above, you'll have to check on the terms of the organization granting the scholarship as to whether it can be used for expenses.</p>

<p>Can the entrance fee be applied to the student's loan?</p>

<p>Do you mean: "Can you request that the entrance fee be deducted from future wages?" Nothing in the documentation that came in the permit to report package indicated that this was an option. </p>

<p>After all the things that plebes have to pay for are deducted, take home is only $100 a month. Third class gets a bit more, but still, adding an additional $2200 or more in loans would mean they see no income at all for the better part of their first two years. </p>

<p>There may have been some alternate path to take if the fee was a financial hardship -- does anyone remember?</p>

<p>I recall reading there is a process if the entrance fee creates a hardship that is addressed in the packet sent prior to I-Day (in some cases, it can be attached to your issue loan, but as oiixxg points out, this would mean next to no income for your first,and most likely, second year at USNA). If you have more immediate concerns, I would suggest contacting your Regional Director (name/number can be found on your CIS site). </p>

<p>I also recall that if you have a scholarship, it might be applicable to the entrance fee even if it is restricted to tuition, but again, check with your scholarship sponsor. (most scholarships cannot be applied to the uniform issue fee, but suggest you read the fine print so that there are no surprises) </p>

<p>As long as we are discussing finances, remember that in most cases the only year a mid can be declared as a dependent on the patent's tax forms is during the calendar year of admission- (thus, class of 2010 can be declared as dependent for 2006 tax year); after that (2007 and beyond), their income warrents seperate filing (as per the accountant in the house)....just in case anyone is wondering!</p>