<p>Will be filling out FAFSA for DD in january. DS has currently stopped going to school but may - and it changes everytime I talk to him - go back next year. Am I better off saying 2 in college and correcting it if he does not go back? Or put 1 and change it if he does go back? Not trying to play the system or anything - just would need the extra finaid for D if he does return.</p>
<p>If your financial situation changes between the time you submit your FAFSA and the time of enrollment, the school will usually change their financial package as well.</p>
<p>I was in the same situation last year and listed 2 in college. When my daughter was accepted, the colleges told me that they would need proof of enrollment from my son's college the following fall; they were very understanding of the situation. </p>
<p>I think you should fill out the FAFSA with the scenario that is the best-case for you financially, because while it is easy for a college to cut back aid already offered, it is not always easy to get more aid, especially at a college that may not promise to meet 100% need. </p>
<p>If your son is still undecided in April when you have financial aid offers for your daughter, you will need to discuss the situation with the financial aid office and get clear answers as to what the financial aid will be if DS does not return to college. My daughter's college told me that they had calculated the award as if my son were NOT in college, and that when they had proof of his enrollment and costs of attendance, they would increase her grant. I made sure to get that in writing. (He did return to college, and they did increase her grant).</p>
<p>Thank you Calmom and newfoundgirlie. Calmom that is kind of what I was thinking as I had also heard that it is sometimes harder to increase the money later in the year. With DS in school DD will definitely qualify for a Pell grant - might possibly qualify without him in school if the school adjusts her EFC to reflect the fact that her SS payments reported for this year will go away next year. (I think you gave me advice on that on another thread - this process is more complicated than it appears at first). DS will not qualify for aid as he has been working and that kills his EFC even though it has all gone on rent etc. I will be pleasantly surprised if he goes back to school - not holding my breath though.</p>
<p>We are in the same situation -- down to the Pell grant that my daughter qualifies for because of her brother being in college! -- So that's one more reason to include the ambivalent son on the FAFSA -- I never would have thought we were Pell grant qualifiers in any case, but Barnard did see that and I think they were glad to be able to get some federal $$ for my daughter -- it turned out that she also qualified for an Academic Achievement grant as well (for Pell grant recipients who have lot of APs or other qualifying course work).</p>
<p>My son was also in the same boat financially -- with his earnings from working full time, he does not qualify for any financial aid. The financial aid system really works against students who are self-supporting and living on their own. My son got a job with Americorps though - so next year at least he will get a small educational grant from them. </p>
<p>I was glad when my son decided to go back to school, but I didn't push him. When he told me he couldn't decide, I told him to just wait until summer and see how things were going at work; fortunately he was not required to make a big deposit to hold his slot at the CSU. He did not decide for sure until July.</p>
<p>Anyway, I know exactly how you feel. My son was out of college for 3 years, but in the long run I think that the work experience was good for him. He went back to school when he got tired of working so hard; when he finishes college I think it will be easy for him to get a good job because then he will have a degree plus all that work experience -- he has done some stuff that looks great on a resume.</p>
<p>Grr- I just typed out a big spiel and for some reason it did not go through.</p>
<p>Calmom you give me some hope. My Son has only been out of school for a year - combination of having no clue what he wants to do and the fact that he would have to go away to go to school and his GF will not move. I don't even mind if he chooses a vocational path - he likes working with his hands and, though he is pretty smart, school was not fun for him because of some learning disabilities. But even the vocational path requires some training which again would mean having to go away. He has a really good work ethic - every job he has had, starting back with jobs in high school, they always tell him he is welcome back any time he wants a job. So I think he will do well once he can find his path. I just wish for his sake he could find that path - both for his financial well being and his self esteem. Plus a job with benefits - especially medical - would ease Moms mind a whole lot. We try not to put any pressure on him but every time he takes on more financial commitments (renting a house etc - he is only 20) we see the possibility of him furthering his education drifting further away. </p>
<p>My daughter will also qualify for the academic acheivement award I believe - if her EFC is adjusted to reflect the loss of SS income next year that would make her eligible for some Pell grant money and her course load in high school meets the criteria. It just seems that there are so many variables in play - I think we really need to sit down with the financial aid officer once she decides on the school she is going to. Thanks for your feedback - it is really helpful.</p>