The Gamble of In State Medical Schools

<p>There is no need for IRS and Fafsa at all for Med School right? So, I think it could very well be a dilemma. Or is it not?</p>

<p>Medical schools use FAFSA in their financial aid process.</p>

<p>hold up, I thought medical school is all on ur own expense (loans for almost all the part, with rare scholarhips?)</p>

<p>That is true. They still want the FAFSA to determine how much loans, how much grants (if any), and how much you can afford to pay.</p>

<p>oh, okay. so, what if a student from a severely poor household applies to med school, and for some reason, the loans could not cover all the cost. Does it mean, that the student needs to find some other sources and give evidence to the med school to be considered for admission?</p>

<p>Medical schools have need-based grants as well. Some.</p>

<p>Trust me, med schools won't run out of loans. You will be able to go to med school if admitted. You will also have to graduate with a ton of debt.</p>

<p>BDM:</p>

<p>Oops. I didn't know they could (legally) be different. How does that work?</p>

<p>Innovative:</p>

<p>
[quote]
oh, okay. so, what if a student from a severely poor household applies to med school, and for some reason, the loans could not cover all the cost.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>At my school, first the Financial Aid committee decides how much it'll be to attend for that year. They factor in tuition, housing, living expenses, books, sundry fees, etc. - this is the budget Then they use FAFSA to determine how much your Expected Family Contribution is - that's how much the federal government expects you to pay out of your pocket. Then, your Expected Family Contribution is subtracted from the budget to give you your Eligibility for Need-Based Aid. Your Eligibility for Need-Based Aid can be meet with grants, scholarships, and/or loans. You will also be eligible for loans to cover your Expected Family Contribution in case you and your family can't or don't want to pay that up front.</p>

<p>Based on the way my school does it, I just don't see how you'd somehow not have enough loans to cover the cost of school. I assume the procedure is much the same at other medical schools.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Does it mean, that the student needs to find some other sources and give evidence to the med school to be considered for admission?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Medical schools ask NOTHING about your finances before admission. I assume the feeling is, "If this student is going to be part of our class, we can work with them to make the money issue work out." Never have I heard of any US citizen who could not get the loans to attend medical school.</p>

<p>However, if you're not a US citizen, then you are not eligible for federal loans, which tend to make up a bulk of a financial aid package. Then you might have to seek out a private lender to be able to pay.</p>

<p>I'm by no means a financial aid expert, so if I made mistakes, then someone who knows more than me should make corrects.</p>

<p>State residency is extremely complicated and I'm not really sure how it works. Here's my best guess:</p>

<p>Registering to vote and owning a driver's license are two of the signs -- living there continuously, taking a full-time job, owning land are among the many others -- that states use when you are applying for state residency. If you have, for example, done all five in a state, then they'll probably grant you residency. But you need to actually fill out that formal paperwork.</p>

<p>(If your parents still claim you as a dependent, however, that's a very strong sign that you have not forfeited your original state residency.)</p>

<p>In any case, I'm pretty sure I'm still a CA resident, despite having registered to vote in a different state in 2004 and now a third one here for 2008.</p>

<p>But I heard that when you are over 18, you are not a dependent of your parents. So, does that mean, you have a Choice to be dependent on ur parent or you can be dependent on ur parents based on any kind of unavoidable circumstances.<br>
One thing to add about residency verification: I'm sure the state from where you filed tax is a very strong indicator to verify ur residency.</p>

<p>Your parents can continue to claim you as a dependent on their tax forms. I believe this means they're supporting you.</p>

<p>Cosine:</p>

<p>I was a CA resident, my DD is at a UC as a resident; I then moved to a new state. I am trying to determine DDs options as a resident- old state, new state. DD is pretty done with Cali, and would be happy to be a resident of the new state, but there is only 1 school instead of many publics plus privates, so we are trying to get answers early.</p>

<p>I spoke to the new state and DD can ONLY be a resident of the new state if she decides to be a resident as a dependent of me, on my tax return. And she ought to still be a dependent when she applies to make sure that works. In other words, if she takes time off between UG & MS, and works (think TFA) and is not physically in either the new or old state, she could have trouble. It almost sounds like she could end up not being a resident anywhere if she is not really careful. It is not just tax return, but also EVER having had a physical presence for 12 months straight.</p>

<p>Generally, if you were a TX resident and moved to NC for school ONLY, you are still a TX resident. If you were a TX resident at a TX school and your parents moved to NC, you would have to follow very specific rules to determine which state you choose for residency.</p>

<p>So, call your new & old states and determine your best options by their particular rules.</p>

<p>Personally I would like curm to put my DD on his tax return so she can be a TX resident :D</p>