Preparing for Finaid Applications - Page 6

thumper1 · 01-31-2009, 06:02 PM

Jersey...you'll get better answers to your question by posting a separate thread specific to that question.

In my opinion, you should file your taxes and finalize your FAFSA indicating a "filed" status and the numbers off of your return as soon as possible. I would not wait until April 15...this year. For returning students, the deadlines are usually later than for freshmen. It's just this freshman year. I would get it done sooner...but that is my opinion.

YOU know the numbers are the same...but the college will see that "will file" status and they will NOT know that they are the same until you submit the final "filed taxes" amending of the FAFSA.

kelsmom · 01-31-2009, 06:18 PM

I agree with Thumper. It's really best to get it done & put the "filed" status on the FAFSA right from the start. It's not necessary, but it's best. It's just one time ... the date most likely will be later for returning students ... and you already know your numbers. Just file.

needhelpplease · 02-11-2009, 12:57 PM

I have an issue!
I am a permanent resident/green card holder in the US. My mother has overstayed her visit and is therefore here illegally. My father is completely out of the picture. I have filled out the CSS profile and all forms that apply to the university I have been accepted (Cornell University). But I am hesitant to fill out the FAFSA as it is clearly a government form and site, thus giving potential for my mother to be flagged and deported. She has no social and no ID number of any kind and every time I fill out the FAFSA it says its incomplete.

What do I do?
Are my fears of her being deported realistic?
and how do I fill out the FAFSA without a parental SSN?

Please Help me!

kelsmom · 02-11-2009, 01:37 PM

Please call Cornell & ask to speak to a financial aid officer. Explain your situation. Let them guide you.

texan09 · 02-21-2009, 03:45 PM

at the end of the fafsa, when you're filling it out online, they ask you to input the codes for the schools that you desire your fafsa results to be sent to. does the order in which you enter the codes of the schools really matter? will it affect my efc in any way?? please let me know soon. i'm finishing up my fafsa right now. thank you!

franglish · 02-21-2009, 07:57 PM

No, it doesn't matter. Some people suggest doing it in alphabetical order, but it really makes no difference.

teufelhund09 · 03-07-2009, 03:45 PM

What happens if you miss the financial aid deadline of one of the colleges? Does one still send in the tax information?

rebanne1119 · 03-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Yes teufelhund09 ^^. Do send in the taxes and w-2 forms/ financial information. Most colleges ( at least for cornell, barnard, and wellesley) expect taxes to be somewhat late. So make sure to send them in. Even if they're like a month late, they still want it.

tcsewhat · 03-08-2009, 10:44 AM

I just found out something disturbing. FAFSA asks if parents have lost their jobs- classifying them as dislocated workers. Since I lost my job, I checked this box. But this is a new question and most colleges don't look at it. I called FAFSA to check. Our aid packages were all coming in like we still had 2 incomes. This question is so new most schools don't know what to do with it. Neither do the feds- or my state, New York.

I have had to write a letter on our situation, fill our special circumstances forms, estimate our income for 2009, send copies of my unemployment determination, and my taxes. And this is just to the colleges who were kind enough to reply. Some are not interested and tell me to wait until June.

Why does FAFSA ask about unemployment if they don't intend to use the info? Or require the colleges to use it? Doesn't make much sense...

Ealgian · 03-20-2009, 07:14 PM

I have so procrastinated/not had time to send out 2008/2007 tax returns, etc. When they say that they want the forms "signed," what does that mean??? Please reply, thanks!

thumper1 · 03-20-2009, 07:19 PM

Ealgian...at the bottom of the tax return (either at the bottom of the 1040EZ or A...or at the bottom of the second page of the regular 1040) there is a place for the filers' signatures. If you have filed electronically, you might not have taken a pen and signed your name. Hopefully you DID print out a copy for your records. Make a copy of the tax return(s) and SIGN them where it says "Sign Here". Then copy and mail to the colleges.

Ealgian · 03-20-2009, 11:01 PM

Thanks! I have printed them out and will be mailing them.

mumanzo · 03-24-2009, 04:04 PM

I am a parent of a student graduating in 2010. When applying for Financial Aid do you have to submit copies of the tax returns with the application?

chaospaladin · 03-26-2009, 04:43 PM

This is a helpful thread.

thumper1 · 03-26-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

When applying for Financial Aid do you have to submit copies of the tax returns with the application?

You do NOT send your tax returns to FAFSA or to the College Board for Profile. Some schools, however, DO require tax returns as part of the financial application process...they would be sent to those schools.

You need to read EACH finaid website and you need to look at what EACH school requires. The schools will tell you what to submit and WHEN...please look at what you need and plan to have it all ready well before the deadlines. Don't miss the deadlines.