<p>Evening friends!</p>
<p>I am a new member and I have read a lot of information on Fin Aid and the process already but I have a bit of a situation that I would like some feedback on.</p>
<p>My teenager graduated from high school in June this year (2012). While everyone else started college in the fall, she has elected to take a gap year and go overseas. Because of paperwork issues, she is unable to make her year-long trip until Jan 2013 which means she is not planning to actually start college until Spring semester 2014.</p>
<p>Here is my understanding and also my questions:</p>
<ul>
<li>FAFSA funds are allocated at the beginning of each academic year. Her deadlines will not change even though she starts Spring 2014. She should still apply to colleges and FAFSA January 2013. Can someone please confirm?</li>
<li>All calculators and documentation I read shows that students will be given an "annual" allocation of funds.... does the FAFSA application process allow for an option to show a Spring semester start? If it doesn't, will her 2013-2014 allocation automatically be pro-rated by the college when she starts in Spring?</li>
<li>and <em>gasp</em> she still qualifies for Fin Aid even if she starts Spring right????</li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>My D also took a gap year which didnt actually start till January because she had to earn the money to go first. ( she was taking a loong volunteer vacation of 4-5 months.)
However she began college that fall.
Oftentimes money is gone except for unsubsidized loans for students entering after the fall semester, but she should check with her school.</p>
<p>I agree she should be applying now/Jan. Then she can ask for a deferral, but they aren’t always granted.</p>
<p>The schools I have experience with have completely different application and FA deadlines for students intending to start in the Spring. You would need to check the specific schools you are interested in.</p>
<p>Pell grants and direct subsidized and subsidized loans will not be an issue (assuming she is eligible) as they do not run out. Campus based aid such as SEOG, Work Study, and Perkins loans have very limited funding and may be unavailable for Spring admits. </p>
<p>Also you should check the situation as far as any possible scholarship eligibility. Some scholarships may be for fall admits only (most of those at our flagship U are). it may be worth waiting until the fall to start rather than the spring. But check with the schools you are considering.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your input! I will check the schools she has interests in. If anyone already has experience with USC Columbia or West Chester U ( we have established residence in both states due to divorce), I would greatly appreciate your advice. </p>
<p>We will contact the schools Monday.</p>