<p>I am applying to different schools to pursue my Masters in Social Work and I am confused about the financial aid process. I didn't use financial aid when I was in undergrad and now I need it. I know I can't fill out a FAFSA until January how do I go about paying for school and living expenses? I need an apartment and to be able to buy books, pay utilities and my car note this whole thing is so stressful! Will I get graduate PLUS loans from FAFSA?</p>
<p>There is not much need-based financial aid for most master’s programs. Most aid for master’s students is merit-based or involves compensation for being a teaching assistant, research assistant, etc.</p>
<p>Many universities save most of their financial aid for doctoral students. </p>
<p>There are some rich universities that greatly reduce grad tuition for some top liberal arts majors.</p>
<p>A grad student is automatically considered to be an independent student for federal purposes. However, some colleges that offer grad aid still want to see parent’s income and assets. They will require completion of their own forms.</p>
<p>Federal Stafford loans are available for grad students up to a certain amount per year (I think around $20K). They are not subsidized, meaning that the interest accrues while you are in school. After you use up that amount, you can get graduate PLUS loans. Most people can get graduate PLUS loans, but there are some restrictions, such as not being late on other federal loans. However, at a certain point, you need to think long and hard about how much debt you should rack up for a social work degree.</p>
<p>You might look at whether you can get some courses completed at a cheaper college or online, and/or whether you can find an employer that will cover some of the costs if you go to school part-time while you work.</p>
<p>Can those types of loans be consolidated eventually? I know that if accepted I am going to go to a cheaper school and hopefully only spend about 30,000 dollars on tuition but I have to think about an apartment because none of the programs I applied to are close to home. </p>
<p>With grad plus loans do I apply to those when I fill out the fafsa?</p>
<p>Yes, you can consolidate any federal loans together.</p>
<p>Here is the FAQ page about Direct PLUS loans: [PLUS</a> Loans | Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/plus]PLUS”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/plus) You have to go through your school to get PLUS loans, but applying for the FAFSA is the first step.</p>