What does the CSS do vs. the FAFSA?

Paying for College
1

<p>I have my eye on several privates that require the FAFSA as well as the CSS PROFILE. By FAFSA, I am an Independent student. Since the CSS asks for both parent and student information, and the particular schools that I’m thinking about (Smith, mostly.) want two years of Tax returns from parents and the student. With my situation as odd as it is, I don’t know what we’re supposed to do…</p>

<p>These are the contributing factors:</p>

<li>FAFSA considers me an “Independent Student” for FA purposes</li>
<li>My Mom makes 75k per year, but does not want to help out with college at all. She believes that scholarships should pay for her share of the cost. She bends over backwards to pay for college expenses for my brother though… also she is dead set on buying a house at the end of this year because she “hates living an apartment”. </li>
<li>My Father is dead and scoffed for years at the IRS, so he didn’t (he died in March of this year and was sick for a year before that.) file taxes for many years and he was self employed.</li>
</ol>

<p>I was under the impression that FAFSA is for Federal Aid purposes, while the CSS profile is for Institutional Aid. Since my Mom is being self-centered right now, I’m working twp part time jobs (one of which is work study…) and saving every cent possible while going to my CCC full time, so that I can go to Smith, if I am accepted. </p>

<p>So, my question is:</p>

<p>Since my Mom makes a lot of money and has two kids in college and is buying a 500k home in the next few months, that would seriously hurt any chances that I may have for Institutional FA, right? (Resulting in more loans that I have to take out.) </p>

<p>Wouldn’t the privates look strangely on the differences between what the FAFSA and the CSS PROFILE say in reference to EFC? (Judging on what I’ve made this year (which is being stockpiled around the house for the most part and not in a bank.) my EFC is most likely going to be 0 for the FAFSA, but I’m not sure of what the CSS PROFILE will say. Has anyone else been in this situation? What did you do to manage it?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I have a q
why does FAFSA consider you independent?

[quote]
The following criteria, which are available on the FAFSA, are used to determine whether or not you can be considered independent:</p>

<p>Are you 24 years of age or older?</p>

<p>Are you enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program?</p>

<p>Are you married?</p>

<p>Do you have children for whom you contribute more than half of their support? (includes children who may not physically live with you)</p>

<p>Are you an orphan or ward of the court or were you a ward of the court until age 18?</p>

<p>Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?</p>

<p>Dependent Students
If you answered "no" to all of the questions, you are qualified as a dependent student. Dependent students must report their parents' income and assets in addition to their own. Parents of a dependent student are expected to contribute to the cost of the student's education.</p>

<p>Dependent students are eligible for all federal financial aid programs. There are limits to the amount of money dependent students can borrow under the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Dependent students are usually limited to subsidized loan amounts. If a gap in the student's financial need exists, parents are expected to apply for a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) to help meet the costs of attendance.</p>

<p>Independent Students
Answering "yes" to any of the above questions automatically qualifies the student as independent. Independent students report only their own income and assets (and their spouse's, if applicable). A school's financial aid office may ask for proof of the student's independent status-such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or service discharge papers.</p>

<p>Independent students are eligible for all federal financial aid programs. They do not need a parental source to help meet the costs of attendance, and may qualify for the maximum subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts to compensate for this lack of financial assistance.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I am going by the age that is quoted on your profile- if you are older /meet the criteria to be an independent student- it generally won't matter to FAFSA what your mothers income is- however private schools may still ask anyway.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Tips for Filing as an Independent Student</p>

<p>If you do qualify as an independent student, follow these tips:</p>

<p>Don't forget to complete the section that asks you for the number of people in your household. Be sure to include yourself.
Just because you're filing as an independent doesn't always mean that you can leave the parent section of the FAFSA blank. "Check first with the school before submitting your FAFSA. Some may want parental information on the FAFSA and/or on other forms, such as the CSS PROFILE form or the school's own aid application," Kalman A. Chany, Founder and President of Campus Consultants Inc. says.
For example, graduate health profession students may be required to provide parental data even if they are independent.
When filing as an independent, your school may ask you to submit proof before allowing any federal student aid. Have your documentation ready to avoid delays.
If you think you may qualify, discuss your status with your financial aid officer and file early to maximize your chances of getting financial aid.

[/quote]
</p>

3

<p>I was a ward of the court and state until my 18th birthday. That is why I am considered an Independent student by FAFSA guidelines.</p>

4

<p>I was an ward of the state tell I was 21. I know that in my state (Maryland) if you stay in Maryland you get to go for 'free' on a pell grant. I don't know about your state. I'm about to graduate now. My worry is who well pay for grad school!</p>

<p>p.s if you check ward of the state box you don't have to fill out any information about your parents, but you most likely will have to proved proof that you were award till you were 18. Also make sure you keep a copy becaues I had to keep sending in the proof every year! Thay must of forgot.</p>