Gathering opinions on financial aid process for water coolers

Paying for College
1

<p>As conversations at work have switched from admissions to FAFSA and how to actual pay for college many topics have been tossed around. I told my co-workers I would ask the opinions of the experts on CC. SO here goes:</p>

<li><p>How close was the FAFSA EFC to the PROFILE EFC?</p></li>
<li><p>Do you even get to know the EFC from the PROFILE?</p></li>
<li><p>How many are tagged for verification?</p></li>
<li><p>What are the triggers for being verified?</p></li>
<li><p>If w-2’s and tax returns have already been submitted what else is asked for in the verification process?</p></li>
<li><p>What formula do colleges prefer for determining market value of your house? Property tax assessments? Recent sales in neighborhood?</p></li>
<li><p>If you make an obvious calculation error or put something on the “line” below, if you will, will the school call and tell you?</p></li>
<li><p>In general do the colleges accept the postmarked/submitted deadline as being on time or when it is actually processed?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>It’s very interesting the wide range of feelings on this subject. </p>

<p>Thanks for any iput. We’ll try toget some work done today and then go homw and finish up the forms!</p>

2

<p>More....what are some mistakes you made that later made you say: "I can't believe I did that?" And what is the most common error that people make when filling out the forms?</p>

3

<p>ANy takers to any of these questions???? THANKS!</p>

4

<p>To give an answer to some of your questions:</p>

<p>This is the 3rd year of filling out FAFSA. Was chosen 1st year for verification (told because I changed the info twice from the original). No problem last year - but my EFC was higher.</p>

<p>This year chosen for verification again - wonder if it's because my EFC was low. </p>

<p>With 2 different schools asking for verification, in addition to tax returns (mine and daughters') and W-2's, they send a form to fill out. Pretty much the same questions asked on the FAFSA.</p>