Ive read a lot of forums about this whole selective service issue and everyone who asks has a problem where they are 17 but will turn 18 before college starts. My problem is that i am currently (1/13/17) 16 years old, a senior, i turn 17 in march (3/17) and wont be 18 till 2018 which will be like halfway through my freshman year in college. I got accepted into FAU and had a problem with the financial aid section on their website where it said the SSS portion was missing. SO i email the financial aid counselor that they have assigned me and i explain to her my situation and this is what she responded:
“Unfortunately, we cannot continue to process your financial aid until you are able to register for Selective Service. You may register for Selective Service as early as 30 days before your 18th birthday. Meanwhile, your parents wish to consider a Parent PLUS loan to cover your cost of attendance until you are eligible to receive Federal Financial Aid funds. Let me know if you have other questions concerning the financial aid process.”
This is really dumb in my opinion, so many college students go into college at the age of 17, my EFC for fafsa is 0, my parents have no money to pay for college. Plus going to school at a younger age should be given more rewards rather than having me go through this hardship, i worked hard for that. If anyone knows any way around this please let me know, thank you :).
The financial aid counselor that you communicated with is woefully ignorant. But guess what? You have a chance to educate her!
I’m really surprised that she responded the way she did, because your situation is not uncommon. Lots of first time FAFSA applicants are males under age 18.
Here’s a link to the relevant part of the current Student Financial Aid Handbook:
It clearly states that “Males who are not yet 18 at the time that they complete their applications” are exempt from the SSS registration requirement.
Wow i cant believe how ignorant they really are LOL. I just sent the counselor an email with the link for the handbook and quoting it saying that i should be exempt. Hopefully everything works out.
If they refuse to process the paperwork correctly, contact the FAFSA office for help and have your parents speak to their director of financial aid. If they refuse to comply with federal regulations, take a gap year (if that college is your best option) or choose another school.
Unfortunately, not all aid officers know the rules. If your aid officer continues to argue about this, go over his/her head. Someone in the aid office should be able to help.
My DS was 17 when he started college- we simply checked no on the box about registering and that was the end of it. He did not have any issues with FASFA or the school- you can’t register until 18- it was out of his control. Good luck with this!
