I’m confused about filling out a FAFSA for grad school. I’ve been accepted so far to one program, but the awards packages haven’t been calculated. I’m almost certain I’ll need a loan due to paying out-of-state-tuition. At this very moment I’m not working, I plan to beginning in March. Prior to today, since last May, my fiancé has paid my bills and rent. How would I calculate that for the FAFSA since many amounts were long ago and mostly paid in cash as he’s a bartender. I want to be 100% honest on my FAFSA, but how can I calculate meals, gifts, bills, etc.? At best it would be a guesstimate. Any help appreciated.
I’m hoping someone else pipes in. Money paid on your behalf is for things in your name…which someone else pays for. It sounds like you are living rent free in your fiances apartment. I’m not positive that is listed…
I would not report rent as money given to you. This is for grad school so you aren’t You aren’t getting any grant from the gov and everyone is entitles to the loan so I wouldn’t sweat this too much.
You do not need to report the rent or utilities, because they are not in your name - and you are not required to report this as money received. If you are verified, the aid office “can” (not must or will) reduce the living costs in your cost of attendance budget to reflect the fact that someone else if paying for your housing. That sort of things is done at the school level, not the FAFSA level.
At the grad level, the only federal aid is unsubsidized loans and Grad PLUS loans - although some grad programs do offer federal work study.
Thank you! My other question is, come March, we are moving together to the state where I’m attending grad school in August and we will then seek new jobs, rent a place together, and the bills etc. may change a bit. When I file 2016-2017 FAFSA, do I only put in the living expenditures etc. from 2015? Or the changes that come after the move? Or both?
He can when we move, but our lease will be under both names as is the cellphone and insurance now. My guess is for the next year, I’d have to declare everything but utilities correct? Once working, I’ll be hopefully making enough to cover my bills otherwise.
Next year would be the 2016-2017 FAFSA. But that FAFSA will be using 2015 tax year information. I don’t know how this particular question will be treated for that year.
Only the base year will change to prior-prior year. All other questions will remain “in the last 12 months.” So next year, you would need to include all the money paid for bills that are in your name in the 12 months prior to the date you file your FAFSA. You would be wise to file the FAFSA when it becomes available in October 2016, because you will have only a couple months of him paying bills in your name at that time. The move to October to file will be a bonus for you - use it.
I see. That would be for the 2017-2018 year though correct? I plan to file my FAFSA soon for 2016-2017. I’m waiting on award packages for grad school to see how much I really need. I was told I have until June 1 technically. Is that correct?
You technically have the entire 2016-2017 school year to file the FAFSA for that year … but you can’t get aid without the FAFSA, so filing earlier makes sense. Each school has its own priority deadline. For example, where I work, there is a priority deadline for incoming applicants - if they meet that deadline, I can send an award letter with the admissions offer. If they file later, I will send the award letter when they file … but because we need an answer quickly (grad programs are different than undergrad - the spots are limited & answers are requested in a different time frame than the May national response date), it’s wise to file early enough to have the financial info when making a decision whether or not to accept admission. After a certain date, I don’t have budget left to give any institutional need-based aid … so extreme foot-dragging can result in losing money. They can get loans if they apply later, though.
Thank you Kelsmom. I have officially decided on which school I’ll be attending, but they won’t know their award package for me until mid-February. Should I apply after they tell me or now?