Help me with the CoF!

<p>So I asked earlier but I'll start a new thread because I've got new doubts now. This thing is confusing. Will someone whip out heir form and go over it with me?</p>

<p>Item 8a. The head is "Personal or Family Savings" but under the name of the bank it says "A bank official's signature is required on the certificate if the student is partially or totally supported by personal savings." Okay, so I don't have any personal savings. Family sayings, yes. If it comes to that, we can shell out some moolah from that - but preferably, it would only be item 8b - "Parents, Money available from sources other than income" - the source being, namely, family income.</p>

<p>So if 8a I leave blank (is this advisable?) do I need to get the bank official's signature?? I thought it would have to be there anyway to verify the money we listed in 8b - but my father somehow feels it's only if there's something given in 8a.</p>

<p>I should list some money in 8a just to get the bank seal?!</p>

<p>Confusing, confusing. Please someone help me out... I want to send it ASAP, because some schools don't process app without the CoF (I think I read something of that nature from Swat...)</p>

<p>if you are leaving 8a blank then there is no need for a bank official's sign on the form. To verify information in 8b you have to submit bank statements and a letter from your dads employer.</p>

<p>Do they generally expect an 8a? Or is it fine either way, only the total amount eventually matters?</p>

<p>And a letter from my dad's employer - will "Form 16" (which happens to be a statement from the employer listing income and benefits, for tax purposes) do?</p>

<p>hehe i do tend to ask too many questions when i get into the act... your earlier reply helped, thanks</p>

<p>alright, I might be wrong on this 1. but
how can you have 8b without 8a?? I mean, the moneys got to be at someplace, right??</p>

<p>I have sent in my ISFAA with a note that the COF will be sent later this month. I haven't recd. any emails a yet. Do you guys think tht will be a problem??</p>

<p>adides, you talk sense man. no 8b without 8a. like duh. i feel dumb.</p>

<p>no i think it'll be fine adides... i did that too, didn't even attach a note or anything (should have, in retrospect)</p>

<p>edit: no wait, i get it. it says to show how much money you're planning to contribute from 8a) savings 8b) other sources, and all the sources are totalled up finally -</p>

<p>i'm confused again! if we're going to contribute from the family income, should i just put that under 8a? like the money i pay next year is already going to be in the bank - so that counts as "savings"?</p>

<p>The bank official thing is required if you are contributing from your personal savings.</p>

<p>Astrix: form 16 will do, but I would suggest you also get a letter on the company letter head, it has more effect.</p>

<p><ah n="" m.="" post="" redundant=""></ah></p>

<p>Just a question - what if you can't get a bank officials signature on 8a for your savngs account? My savings account is in Britain but I live in Kenya, so theres no way I could get an official's signature on my form. Would providing the latest statement be enough? Cheers...</p>

<p>yesss.. personal savings. cool hello, that clarified things.</p>

<p>krux - i am in a similar situation and that is why I sent the application but no COF. I sent a photocopy of statements from Nov. but I will try to send them completed docs. sometime next week.</p>

<p>hello - 8A says personal and FAMILY savings. So unless all your family savings is sitting in a vault somewhere (which happens in india all the time) - you dont need 8A and can only use 8B. I dont know if the aid officers will be able to understand on how 1 can have $'ooos but no bank balance.</p>

<p>I would think that 8A is mainly for 2005-2006 (using savings in the first year) and 8B (anticipated income and savings of the family) will be for 06-07 or the further years.</p>

<p>am i reading a wrong form - coz my form reads 8a. Personal or Family Savings</p>

<p>nope you're right, 8a is family and personal savings.</p>

<p>so do we have a conslusion here? Do we need a bank official to validate family savings or can we just fill 8B and send it off with our parents signature??</p>

<p>I'm mailing finaid at swat... I'll post here when I get a response.</p>

<p>ok lets clear it out:[ul]
[li]8a : Personal and Family savings. You also have to send recent bank statements. If any part of your finances comes from your personal savings, then only will you need a bank official's signature, in the first certification under no. 9. </p>[/li]
<p>[li]8b : Other sources of cash excluding 8a. If contribution is from salary list it and include a letter from the employer stating the employee's salary. Your parents will have to sign in the second certification statement under no. 9.[/ul]</p>[/li]
<p>hope its all crystal clear now.</p>

<p>ok
i just tlked with fin aid ppl from columbia. (since their deadline is 1/15)
according to them, if you have anything in 8A - you need to have a bank offical sign. Also, if there is a substantial amount in 8B that comes from savings, you need to provide all the supporting docs to authenticate tht amt.
fyi</p>

<p>adides - what completed doc's are you going to send? You mean you'll get the bank officials signature on your CoF? How far away is your bank account? </p>

<p>What if I send the CoF with the latest statement but no bank official's signature?</p>

<p>swat finaid:</p>

<p>
[quote]
The Certification of Finance should reflect what you and your parents can actually contribute toward your educations expenses from savings (8a) and from salary/loans (8b). You should also list funding (if any) from sponsors (8c) and your government (8d). As you complete the form, be sure to confirm your resources for all four years, and make sure both you and your parents sign.</p>

<p>Bank Certification is required only if you list support from personal or family savings (8a). Bank officials are sometimes hesitant about signing the Certification of Finance. In that case, you can simply attach a recent copy of your (or your parent's) savings account statement.

[/quote]
</p>