My DD is applying ED; I just sat down with my file of FAFSA stuff and tax returns etc to complete the Chicago-specific Financial Aid form they require, choosing to do it instead of the CSS. FYI for those who haven’t done it yet - it’s about 10 questions, just family data, one question about how much you think you can pay. That’s it.
Now I’m paranoid - did I miss something? Should I be submitting the CSS instead, is there a strategic advantage to doing so?
Capenor - It’s been a while for me (3 years) but it sure seems like you missed something. I used to complete the FAFSA, CSS, and UChicago supplement. It took longer than 10 minutes. It would be worth another look in my opinion. I hope a current parent weighs in for you. Best of luck to your daughter with her app.
@capenor All is good. I completed only the UChicago FA form and FAFSA last year and my son received a FA package that correlated closely to the estimated award on UC’s net price calculator. Like you, I remember completing the UC forms quickly. Have you uploaded the documents to your DD’s UChicago Account? If not, that might add another 5- 10 minutes. Good luck.
As for filing the CSS, I figured it wasn’t worth the effort completing since the UC website states the CSS is optional.
I don’t know why the school even offers the the CSS as an option and can’t think of any advantage a prospective student would gain by completing it over the free UC financial aid application. Maybe someone else has insight into that.
@dadlab we tend to add UChicago to the list for CSS because my kids are typically applying to several schools requiring it so we have to fill it out regardless. UChicago’s own proprietary FA form is certainly easier, and we use that currently for my returning UChicago student. Sure, you pay a few bucks more using CSS but you also save time. UChicago doesn’t require an application fee if you are applying for Fin. Aid so you still come out a bit ahead financially.
Note for those filling out CSS - UChicago does NOT participate in IDOC. You will need to send them tax returns and W2’s by mail or fax. You might also be able to upload them on the UChicago portal (double check your options there).
Does anyone know if UChicago’s FA form considers how much you are paying for other kids at other colleges? Or do they just ask how many kids you have in college?
They ask how much you are paying for other kids.
I can’t get my hands on this form. It’s not on my first year’s portal. I called the FA office and they said it would not be available til Feb for current students. Does that sound right? We didn’t fill it out last year because we had to do the CSS for other schools, so we just submitted the CSS to UChicago too. I’m just the kind of person who wants to get it all done, since the FAFSA is already available. What’s the earliest a current student can submit their FA materials? It would be nice to know how our FA will change for next year so we can plan ahead.
@Kathy V it will become available later in the year - Feb sounds about right. Continuing students don’t have the same FA deadline as prospies. Just have your student alert you when the e-mail arrives (or check the portal every week or so beginning in Feb). It isn’t due till May, IIRC. We were in the same boat with CSS although I probably filled out the UChicago one as well just to get an idea of what it asked for. it’s pretty simple.