<p>I am new to the whole college process. My D is finishing up apps right now. I showed my husband the CSS and FAFSA worksheets and he thought it was crazy. Here is my question, hoping someone can answer this once and for all.
We will most likely not qualify for assistance as we have many real estate investments (assests). We don't live like the rich and famous (my car has over 150K miles). Kids have to earn money, et. All of our money is tied up in investments. We are self employed and so have no 401K's...the real estate is our retirement savings plan.</p>
<p>I have a good friend that is an admissions counselor for a large technical/arts college and she is shocked that we are contemplating NOT filling out these forms. I don't want it to affect D's chances at some of the schools she is appyling to that are not need blind. Even then, is need blind really need blind? My friend insists that she never looks at the financial aid box as her school goes solely by what the fafsa comes up with and she said it is government funded. They give no additional aid to anyone.</p>
<p>Is it even worth it to check the box regarding applying for financial aid considering our assests? Why am I reading some posts on CC that have kids asking if the reason they were rejected was due to their need for financial aid?</p>
<p>One of D's colleges had her apply for a merit scholarship which is conditioned on her filling out the fafsa even though it is not need based so I guess we have to do it for one why not the rest?</p>
<p>Sorry if this is confusing, I am completely confused by all of this and so I am posting here. I have spoken to a couple of the college financial aid offices, all say no harm to fill out the fafsa and css profile...just looking for confirmation or not on this. Anyone with any experience?
Thanks.</p>
<p>No one HAS to apply for financial aid. It is nice that you feel you have the resources to fund your child's education. I suggest, however, that you consider filling out the applications. First, by completing the FAFSA, your college student will be offered a Stafford loan. The amounts are not huge, but for many families, this is the financial "stake" their kids have in their college educations. The loans are in your student's name. In addition, while you have the resources right now, it is very hard to predict the future. Sadly, many folks are facing job losses, losses in assets, significant health care bills or other similar financial crises. You hope that you aren't a family that has a financial crisis, but if you do, you would want your child's school to REevaluate your financial aid situation. This would require the filing of the FAFSA/Profile for reconsideration, along with documentation and verification of the financial issues. If you don't have these forms on file...you will have to do them before the school can reconsider your financial aid situation. The last thing you will want to do if you are facing this is do these forms. It's enough work getting the documentation of the financial change together to submit to the college. Third...some colleges REQUIRE the submission of the FAFSA/Profile for ALL aid including merit aid. You would need to check your college(s) to find out about this. And last...some schools will not award financial aid in subsequent years for students who don't apply their freshman year.</p>
<p>Yes, the forms take time...but really they are held in confidence by the schools. There is no harm in filling them out and possibly something to gain.</p>
<p>Re: your friend...the schools that require the Profile USE the information on the Profile. And just for the record, those real estate properties will have to be noted on the FAFSA as well (not your primary residence but everything else). </p>
<p>However, even IF you don't think you qualify, I still think you should fill out these forms...just in case.</p>
<p>You only have to fill out the FAFSA once and then it is sent to the schools you list. It's not like you have to complete it for every school. </p>
<p>Most schools require FAFSA to be considered for merit scholarships - no FAFSA, no scholarships. You also have to complete FAFSA for gov't loans. </p>
<p>CDS is required by most private schools. Check your school list. Some will require FAFSA, some CSS and FAFSA. </p>
<p>ONce you have your taxes done it takes about 20 minutes to complete FAFSA online. Do it as early as possible after 1/1. The longer you wait the less aid is left.</p>
<p>Thanks, yes, I knew the properties would be listed.</p>
<p>One financial aid officer actually suggested that the student take out a small loan no matter what the parents pay. She said the graduation rate of those kids was almost 100% vs the kids that had it all paid for...I thought this was good info so the comments about qualifying for loans make sense.</p>
<p>The second part of my question I am still wondering about. Does checking the financial aid box on the application affect admissions decisions?</p>
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<p>Does checking the financial aid box on the application affect admissions decisions?>></p>
</blockquote>
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<p>Sometimes...but if the student is THAT close to the admissions guidelines, I wouldn't count that as being the edge to gain them admissions. For need blind schools, it doesn't matter at all. For other schools, it MIGHT matter. There really is no way of knowing.</p>
<p>I agree that kids should have a bit of a stake in their college financing...the Stafford loan is a good, low interest, in their name loan and a way many families choose to do this. It is a personal family decision.</p>
<p>We never filled out financial aid forms. We knew that our income and assets would not qualify us for anything, we didn't want the unsubsidized loans and knew that even if we lost jobs, assets would still render us unqualified. If it is the same for you, don't bother IMO.</p>
<p>However, if loss of a job would render you qualified or some assets are at risk that might qualify you in the next 4 years, I'd fill out the forms.</p>