grad school, FAFSA, and loans

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello all.</p>

<p>I started filling out my FAFSA for the last time as an undergrad (next year will be my last year) and I had a couple questions.</p>

<li><p>Am I able to complete the FAFSA when I apply to grad school? </p></li>
<li><p>Can grad student receive Stafford loans and if ss, does anyone know the limit per year? Also, would a cosigner still be unnecessary?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<ol>
<li>Yes, I completed the FAFSA and received a small grant.</li>
<li>Stafford Loan limits for Graduate Students is $8500/yr. for dependent students and an additional $10,000/yr for independent students. A credit check is not required for stafford loans, so I doubt you will need a cosigner.</li>
</ol>

3

<p>ok...looks like i'll probably be considered a dependent based on the fact that i'll be 23 when i am in school and i won't be working....drat. I was hoping it would be the last time i need my parents' financial information on the fafsa.</p>

4

<p><a href="http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/general-dependency.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2005-2006/english/general-dependency.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>at this link it says that you are independent if you will be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program, but then why would they denote the limits of a dependent graduate student? Is there such a thing as a dependent graduate student? </p>

<p>I recommend just filling out the FAFSA form, and they will ask the questions whether you were born before January of 1983, if u have dependents and stuff..., before they ask for your parent's information, and if you are independent it will just ask you if you would like to enter your parents' information rather than require you to enter it.</p>

5

<p>ah ok. looks like i am in good shape....but then again i wont have any income information to put on there....heh. I guess since they are not pulling credit it won't matter.</p>

6

<p>But by having no income, it will improve your chances of getting a grant.</p>

7

<p>really? is there an average amount of grant money availible thru fafsa with no income?</p>

8

<p>I don't know, but it's not going to be a substantial amount.</p>

9

<p>well, i'lltake any amount if it will decrease the amount i have to borrow. good stuff!</p>