<p>So after checking some EFC etc. I know I most likely will not get any aid at all. Mom doesn't want me to spend time bothering with Aid cuz she things i won't get any. So as of now I am not going to check the box that says "I will be applying for Financial Aid"</p>
<p>so what do I do now?
i read somewhere about FAFSA, submitting it just incase etc. does that also apply to people totally not eligible for fin aid? can someone explain it for me?</p>
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<blockquote> <p>i read somewhere about FAFSA, submitting it just incase etc. does that also apply to people totally not eligible for fin aid? can someone explain it for me?>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>In my opinion...yes...it does. I always recommend folks complete the finaid forms. You never know when an unforeseen circumstance (loss of parent income, illness, etc) will put a strain on your finances and ability to pay for college. If that happens, it is better to already have the finaid forms on file so that the school can reevaluate your situation. The last thing you will want to do if there is an issue is complete the FAFSA and Profile (if needed).</p>
<p>Rainynightstarz, aren't you applying to schools that give no merit aid (for example, MIT)? I think your realization that you will not be eligible for financial aid should lead you to think hard about the schools on your list, especially if your parents are indicating that the schools may be out of reach without financial aid. (I'm just guessing here.)</p>
<p>Without knowing anything about your hs record, I'm going to assume that you have a very good one if you think MIT is a likely destination. If it is, perhaps you should investigate, and apply to, some of the well-regarded private schools that offer the possibility of merit aid. Most of them do not have such highly-ranked engineering schools as MIT, of course, but are strong in a variety of departments and have plenty of research opportunities for good students.</p>
<p>Or, look into some of the top-ranked publics with very strong engineering programs, e.g. Michigan, Illinois-UC. Both of those offer scholarships to out-of-state applicants with strong academic records.</p>
<p>It may be disappointing to hear that MIT and other top-ranked dream schools are out of reach financially, but it is better to have some options in the spring. (Other than taking out crippling unsubsidized loans that will have to paid back just as you start your post-college life.)</p>
<p>If you think you will attend a certain university no matter what the cost in loans, etc. then you should probably do as Thumper1 suggests and file the paperwork anyway. In our family, we soon realized that filing paperwork didn't get us anywhere, so our son shifted his attention to top schools that give merit aid, because neither he nor we thought loans were a good idea.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>And remember too....some schools DO require that finaid forms be filled out for merit aid as well as need based aid.</p>
<p>Money isn't an issue right now. So when people say Finaid forms is that just the FAFSA stuff?
actually what exactly is involved in Finaid? just check that box that say i will be applying for fin aid and get my parents to fill out their tax info on FAFSA and CSS?</p>
<p>When I say, fill out the finaid forms, I mean the FAFSA and the Profile (if the school requires it). There is really NO downside to filling these out. Even for need aware and schools that are not need blind, the "edge" for admission for full pay students isn't very big. AND you say "money isn't an issue right now"....but what if it became an issue? We all hope that nothing will affect our cashflow and income during college years, but sadly every year, students have to ask that their finaid be reconsidered due to financial special circumstances which dramatically reduce income and assets. The school will NOT reconsider your finaid at all until all forms are on file AND you are able to show your former income and how this is being impacted by the special circumstance (lost job, unexpected medical expenses, etc). The box on the application is just that...a box...indicating whether or not you plan to apply for finaid. That application "stuff" is looked at by admissions. The finaid application is reviewed by the finaid office. Yes...many schools share info. BUT the box alone is not the thing that you use to apply for finaid. OH...and remember too...that at some schools, if you do not apply for aid your first year, they will not award you aid in subsequent years except for the federally dispensed grants and loans....if you are eligible for them. Yes, filling out the finaid application forms is a pain...but I can't understand the reasoning behind NOT doing them. Also for more info...read the thread pinned at the top of this area called about preparing for financial aid. Many of these issues are covered there as well.</p>
<p>so i really only need the FAFSA and CSS ? and most of the work are filling out tax info for general finaid?
(I don't plan on getting any money of loan, maybe some outside scholarships, but just to have them filled out I guess) My mom is like mad at me for spending time finding out about fin aid when i should be studying for SAT</p>
<p>You are wise to be finding out about financial aid, but the first thing you should do is check the websites where you plan to apply. If you are applying regular decision to colleges, you won't need to fill out financial aid forms until after January 1. If that is the case...I'm with your mom...work on the SAT now. Re: the finaid process....see the tacked thread at the top of this area.</p>
<p>i am applying EA just about to submit the first part of my MIT app, but it has the box " are you planning on applying for financialaid"
i am not sure whether or not to check it</p>
<p>Why would you NOT check that box...and why would you NOT apply for financial aid? Do you think you will have an edge in admissions if you are a full pay student? The edge is very small...if at all. Perhaps someone else would like to comment. As for applying EA and checking the box...I can't imagine what difference it would make, other than the school would NOT compute a finaid estimate for you with your acceptance. You need to check the MIT website. I would imagine there is a priority filing date for the Profile for EA applicants...and it could be as early as mid-October. If you think you might apply for finaid, you do not want to miss the deadlines. </p>
<p>Re: checking "that box"...perhaps others can weigh in with their feelings. My opinion (and it IS my opinion) is that everyone except the independently wealthy (that would be folks who are not beholden to jobs for their income...and who have mega savings....and assets) should apply for finaid.</p>
<p>the problem right now is that my mom doesn't want me to bother with fin aid. i need to some way to convince her that i should or something.
our projected EFC will come to something like 80k so iono
nothing with edge or anything cuz all the schools i am applying to are need blind.
i am submitting part 1 so i can set up for interviews</p>
<p>your parents are the ones who will need to fill out the FA paperwork -- they have all the answers to most of the questions asked. If they are agreeing to pay the full amount of cost at the schools you are applying to (make sure they understand the cost) and they don't want to fill out the paperwork -- I wouldn't push it. There are many reasons to go ahead and fill it out -- but nothing that will make a difference when applying this year. I do suggest you check and see if it is a requirement for merit aid at any of the schools you are applying to and let your parents know if it is. Otherwise -- I would say that you just don't need to worry about it anymore -- it is out of your hands.</p>
<p>is it ok to check that i am apply for fin aid for now and if i decide i don't want to bother with the forms that i don't submit any forms?</p>