I am an international student from Vietnam. I would like to ask some questions about my financial aid application.
First, my current citizenship is Vietnamese and I still live in Vietnam, but my biological mother holds 2-year green card while my stepfather is a U.S. citizen and both my parents live in the U.S. My stepfather adopted me and has already filed the Immigrant Petition since June 2015; we are waiting for a decision on his petition. However, when I tried the Net Price Calculator, it said I need to submit FAFSA. So, do I have to submit FAFSA?
Second, I’ve learned from the website that all copies of my parents’ federal income taxes are required. So, when the website states “copies”, does it mean “official copies” requested from the IRS? Or I am allowed to send photocopied documents?
Third, my aunt also helps contribute to my educational expenses and the majority of my expected family contribution depends on my aunt. So, does my aunt need to submit any document to demonstrate her financial ability? If yes, what documents should my aunt submit? And do I need to submit her documents via mail at the same time as I submit my parents’ financial documents?
p/s: I emailed to financial aid office 3 days ago but still haven’t received any reply! The deadline is coming and I hope you guys can help me out, especially the second question. Thank a lot.
I’m sorry I don’t have answers to your specific questions, but I would venture that you do need to submit the FAFSA. I’ve not heard of someone applying for FA without submitting it, otherwise, how else is your need assessed? This is also how they receive copies of your financial documents. The FAFSA link has a tool that allows you to upload tax returns directly to the schools you have designated. It will also have questions about other sources of tuition (such as family members). Did you previously submit the CSS (College Board/Financial Aid Profile used by most private colleges)? If you didn’t, I think there is a deadline for that as well, and I think they also inquire with regard to outside sources of tuition.
If you can afford the international charges, I would suggest calling the Tufts Financial Aid office directly (if you haven’t actually applied for FA via the CSS or FAFSA, they may not have assigned anyone to your application). The people who answer the phone actually know quite a bit and may be able to answer all these questions directly. If they can’t, answer your questions, ask to speak to the FA counselor specifically assigned to your FA application (they are assigned based on your last name), if one has been assigned.
Here is a link to the Tufts FA page: http://students.tufts.edu/financial-services/financial-aid
Thanks a lot for your reply, @Naspy58 . Luckily, I have received a message from Tufts today and it turns out that because I am still an international student, I do not have to complete the FASFA. I will finish my CSS profile and send it today.
Glad to hear it! Best of luck!