<p>Jolynne, A lot sent merit aid with the acceptance, or shortly after. Most waited until around 4/1 with their FA offer. Also, we did not look at % of need met when applying to all schools. Those that met 65% of need had nothing to offer our family. Some of them offered merit aid, but then I thought if our son lost it, there would be huge difference in the check we needed to write.</p>
<p>To go to Rutgers, flagship in-state college, would cost well over $20k. D can apply to colleges in NC and FL for $23k out-of-state.</p>
<p>It pains me to see what kids in states like Florida pay for tuition when in NJ it's triple the price, plus the room and board is expensive, but not Florida.</p>
<p>That's why she's applying to 4 Florida colleges and 1 in NC.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reference to U of Denver, but D wants to stick to Florida or southeast, or somewhere within 3 hours of home.</p>
<p>Thanks for that explanation, northeastmom. For some reason, I had an obscure fact in my head that there was a limit on the number of schools you to which you could have your financial aid requests (incl FASFA info) sent. Glad that's not the case!</p>
<p>JerseyShoreMom--my son also likes FL schools (& CA--wants the warm weather). He's applied to UofFL at Gainesville, but for him the comp sci programs at the others didn't compare to some mid-west schools. I could see him picking the FL school, though--he likes the nice environment (& social aspects).</p>
<p>Btw, Rutgers in-state pains me too when I see what in-state MD (& other states) pay.</p>
<p>Jolynne, in the past there have been a limit to the number of schools one could list on the FAFSA form on the first submission. Once sent and one waited a couple of days for something that was sent back, one could go back into the fafsa and delete the first batch and add a new batch of schools. I think the limit when we first completed the fafsa was 6 schools, but I think that they have increased that to 10 schools at a time. Bottom line is that I don't think there is any limit. One just adds additional schools that could not fit on the form a few days later (I think we waited 2 days and we did submit round one on January 1st with estimated numbers). After we filed our taxes we made our corrections (I believe March-remember having to remind my DH that we needed to file early that year).</p>
<p>Thanks, northeastmom! Good to hear!! Told hubbie we'd need to work on our taxes early this year, in order to have the estimated numbers by Jan 1. Really planning on doing that, since I'm thinking that 'as early as possible' re: financial aid would have the same (possible) advantages as applying for admission as early as possible.</p>
<p>You can relax a little about this. See what paperwork you'll need (ie: everyone's SS #s on hand, and I really don't recall what other docs you need). I no longer even recall the docs needed bc once you complete this once, you can work off the old fafsa for the info that does not change. Someone on CC can post all of the info needed. You really need estimated numbers to hold your place on line bc your right. As I understand it, it is first come, first serve. You hold your place, as I understand this, by applying ASAP on or after 1/1 with estimated numbers. We are self employed, so we used numbers from the year before. We told our son to save the info that came with his paychecks when he worked over the summer. This way we knew how much he earned without waiting for his W-2. My H completes the FAFSA and he was sweating it the first time through. Now he sees that these are just estimated numbers on 1/1, and he uses the numbers from our tax return the year before. </p>
<p>Edit: You can and should file a for pin number for your child and one parent in advance. Some other info to have on hand are the exact balances and account numbers of all accounts (checking, savings, etc.).</p>
<p>That's great to know! Was thinking we'd have to call up accountant & try to finagle an early estimation. The opportunity to use last year's numbers is great! Husband has steady salary & I've only earned a tiny bit, so it's not too complicated. </p>
<p>If son worked as a lawn mower on his own (was paid cash) would you report that on FASFA? I think son should report at least a good amount, because one of his essays mentions his part-time work!</p>
<p>I edited my last post with some more info that I forgot about. What to report about his lawn mower biz, you might want to ask your accountant when you call him/her about something else. I don't know what to tell you. My son got a paycheck for working as a cashier so it was easy. You might want to get as close an estimate as possible, bc you do not want surprises when the final FA award is given!!! I do think that is very worthwhile. I have read posts on CC about changes that were shocking.</p>
<p>Thanks, northeastmom! We'll do the PIN number--want to get everything lined up/prepared as early as possible. I've seen the advantages of doing things early in this process!!</p>
<p>I filled out the FAFSA4caster with last year's (2007) figures. Can I transfer tht information into the FAFSA now or wait until 1/1? </p>
<p>I should have asked this first, but is the FAFSA4caster information easily transferable to the "offical" FAFSA?</p>
<p>This is our first experience with applying to college. I figured I'd try to figure out FAFSA after all of D's apps go out. Trying to climb one mountain at a time.</p>
<p>"one mountain at a time" -- that's exactly the plan we have, JerseyShoreMom. Of course, now crossing my fingers that stock-heavy 529 will not be too depleted when time comes to withdraw next year. Yikes.</p>
<p>Well, last time I posted I was a bit stressed. Let me first thank you for your kind suggestions and empathy. D's list has grown bigger, then smaller, then bigger again. She changes daily. Last weekend she worked on the "grunt" parts of several apps...even hit the send button a few times. Still working on essays and plans to work on them some more this weekend. Her main goal this weekend is to gather all the counselor signature forms this weekend. She'll turn in the most basic forms on Monday and try to get a meeting with GC next week so he can accurately complete the more detailed forms. Her new attitude is to send out the apps and see who "wants" her the most. </p>
<p>We'll be attending an "invitation only" tailgate party and football game for potential scholarship applicants at the state U tomorrow night. My secret hope is that she loves it so much she decides she's done. </p>
<p>On another note, thanks to his big sister, I told DS that he would be going to a college fair in another week. (He is a freshman.) He's not really keen on the idea, but I have my ways :) </p>
<p>Jolynne---I just noticed your 529 comment. We've been looking at it daily...yikes is right!</p>
<p>Good luck, rrah. At least your daughter has hit the 'send' button a few times! Son also found it managable to work on apps in parts--fill out the basic info first, then do essays later.</p>
<p>The only problem we have---son made big list of schools--presented pre-addressed, stamped envelopes to GC & teachers for recs along w/a list of his activities/interests. They've been sending them out since Aug, but now as son gets deeper into the apps, sees that there are many formal "teacher rec" or "GC rec" forms. Arg. Would hate to ask anyone to re-do, esp. during this busy time. Would also hate to revisit that part of the process again.</p>
<p>Re: 529s...at least you are looking. Ours went down a few months ago--I called stockbroker & said, "why stock-heavy at this point???" then didn't switch to bond-heavy version (at family member's advice). Now I'm just too scared to even look. :-p</p>
<p>Took D and friends to visit in-state safety for all. THANK GAWD they didn't want to turn around and go home before pulling into the parking deck (if that has happened to you, you know what I mean). The college grounds were nice the dorms were, eh (if you've seen some of the beautiful dorms in Florida - UCF, FSU, FGCU - you'd know what I mean. The girls said the dorms were doable but I kept thinking that they are NOTHING likethe homey condo style dorms at the colleges in FL. I swear she's just bound for Florida and Florida alone.</p>
<p>All in all, I asked D about her overall opinion and she said, yea - it was ok, it's not #1 #2 #3 #4 or ... I said if it's the only college, will you go? She said Yes.</p>
<p>So YEA!! She finally has her one and only in-state (financial and scores) safety!!!</p>
<p>JerseyShoreMom--I'm currently fighting w/son to get his app out to that same school. It's 'manana manana' all the time---even though I told him that since the apps just opened, every NJ kid will be applying.</p>
<p>Funny re: FL. Son loves that idea too (U of FL Gainesville). But, they just asked for $25 to guarantee housing. Husband has refused to spend any $ on this. Even though son really wants to go & it will get him in line w/priority housing. Whatever.</p>
<p>I never heard of a college asking for a deposit to guarantee housing before an official acceptance?</p>
<p>Really? I didn't know it wasn't the norm. They said it was to save your 'place in line" for housing (not a guarantee). I've just heard enough stories on CC (& elsewhere) about kids being tripled, sleeping in lounges, getting upper-classmen for roommates that $25 seemed a small price to pay.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>I never heard of a college asking for a deposit to guarantee housing before an official acceptance?<<</p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>I've heard of it. Sounds backwards to me, but it's done out there.</p>
<p>I'll have to look at UCF and FSU, the other FL schools she is serious about.</p>
<p>Woohoo!!! D2 got her acceptance email this morning!!! Now we wait so she can sign her National Letter of Intent in February. No more essays, no more apps, no more coaches calling! Now it is just housing application and course registration to look forward to!</p>