How did my friend get financial aid with doctor for a parent?

Paying for College
21

<p>You could also have a friend who had a business downturn, who used to have a good income and now lost a chunk of it as well as half their stocks, they could have most of their net worth in their home and be using the FAFSA.</p>

<p>They could get into an Ivy that limits EFC to a percentage of income and they could be middle income having lived large on some savings from the old, better days.</p>

<p>Just don't believe it unless you see it. I have advised and seen the packages of some kids and I believe those, but that is all!</p>

22

<p>We know families who live in expensive homes, drive expensive cars, wear expensive clothes, have expensive vacations, have expensive home furnishings, go out a lot.....and they get financial aid! Many of them have families who are very generous with gifts and help. One family I know has a mother who is in the decorating business and owns a fabric shop. So you can imagine how lovely and expensively that home is decorated. Oh, and they rent the house from a sibling. The other side of the family owns a car dealership. So they get great deals on leases. Parents pay for vacation, entertainment, dinners out, and lavish gifts. The salary can go a long ways with that kind of help. So yes, they have kids on financial aid at a top university. </p>

<p>On the other hand, there are families like mine who have needs for the money that are far more important than those things. So we do not have the trappings that our family income might suggest. THe money goes for other things. Like needy grandparents, mishaps in the family, health issues.</p>

23

<p>To cptofthehouse, sounds like we're in the same boat. </p>

<p>Even though I work, most of my small income goes to take care of my mom. We took our first ever family vacation last year, since our son is 16 and ready to go away to college, and I feel like I'll never pay off my credit card. </p>

<p>It makes me sick, because I've always paid it off every month and can't stand to have debt, especially now facing college.</p>

<p>Health issues, too. Husband and I both spent time in the hospital one summer post Katrina with staph infections, and it wiped out most of our savings. We have health insurance, but there were deductibles, loss of income. </p>

<p>So here we are, ready for college, and the country is in a recession/depression. Live in a dump, but it's paid for. </p>

<p>We limited ourself to one child so he could go to college where he wanted to, within reason. I mean, I'm not going to make him go to the state college because he'll get a "free ride", but he knows he can't go to an expensive school that offers no merit aid. </p>

<p>I think my son actually is becoming aware of the financial impacts of college. </p>

<p>He said, Mom, you've been saving since I was little so I can go to college, right? To which I replied, We'll be lucky if that covers the first year.</p>

<p>Another question he posed, I mean, if I get a half scholarship, will it cover Room and Board. To which I replied, No.</p>

<p>Big Pause after that.</p>

24

<p>Sammsmiles, I agree with the others who say that it is impossible to truly know what is going on. As for YOU, it sounds like you have your head on straight. Your choice to save your parents money is a wise one. It is possible that the community college may have academic scholarships - check the website to see! Our local CC gives out quite a few full tuition academic scholarships every year, and need is not a factor. The scholarships don't require a separate application. They are simply awarded each spring to the top applicants. Maybe you'll get lucky. Make sure to check into this, in case a scholarship application is required.</p>

25

<p>I think it is a waste of time to try to figure out others' financial situations. Most people are not going to give you complete information. People also can be cheating. Unless you can get some specific tips or ideas that can help YOU get more college money, it is useless to try to figure out what is going on with someone else. </p>

<p>I remember many years ago, my husband could not understand how someone who worked where he did could afford so many things that we just could not buy when the guy made less than he did, and had parents on both sides of the family who were not well to do. It turned out that he was running some scam. Got caught some years later. Had swindled quite a bit. I guess his kids would have been more eligible for financial aid than ours.</p>