Profile question

Debruns · 11-07-2009, 01:31 PM

When filling out the profile, it asked the number of chldren in college for 2010. My son is finishing his senior year and will be going to grad school unless something happens to derail that. On calling one college, they first said to put 2 students in college, my twins, but when I said it didn't specify only "4 yr college" they said to put 3. (this confused me more)
I know on the fafsa I can put 3, but has anyone had this situation with the CSS profile?

Also, many questions can't be filled out early, like which college or grad school the students will be atttending, money spent, etc. Do you go back and fill this in later in the year? When my son went to college 4 years ago, I remember less questions on the profile and Drew just sent a short form every year to fill out, which was mainly mortgage, car loans, etc. and number in school.
Thanks for any insight.

calmom · 11-07-2009, 02:37 PM

CSS Profile rules would be the same as FAFSA, so if your graduating son will still be a member of your household while in grad school, he should be listed. Here's an explanation for FAFSA:

Quote:

Who qualifies to be counted in the number in college? Any person—not including parents—who is counted in the household and will be attending any term of the academic year at least half time. The enrolled family member must attend an eligible program at an eligible institution. You (the student) need not be enrolled half time, however, to be counted in the number in college. To be counted in the number in college, the person must also be working toward a degree or certificate leading to a recognized education credential at a postsecondary school eligible to participate in federal student aid programs.

Source: FAFSA: Frequently Asked Questions

thumper1 · 11-07-2009, 02:54 PM

You would list your grad school son on the Profile IF you are still providing better than half of his support and he is considered a member of your household. Did you put him in the total members of your household...if not, you can't list him as one of the members in college.

It will be up to your other child's UNDERGRAD school whether or not they will ultimately consider your son as a college student...or not. Some schools DO count grad school students and some don't.

DD applied to a number of schools. Her brother was going to be graduating at the end of her freshman year in college but was going to be in grad school for two years following. We ASKED the undergrad schools their policies. Some said they would count the brother in grad school as a student and others said they would NOT. The school she is attending said they would still count him. Another school said they absolutely would NOT and her need based aid would disappear...poof. Another school said their grant awards were both need/merit based and if she kept her GPA up it wouldn't matter.

If it were me, and this will make a difference to you...call the school finaid offices and ask. They will tell you their policy.

Debruns · 11-07-2009, 03:12 PM

I see what you mean. I would put him down as a member of my family and since the form is used by more than one school, leave it up to them. I know Drew wont consider grad school and Brown, because of discussions I've had, but I do know others do. Telling me not put him in and then to put him in was probably the tired financial aid officer's brain saying "Yes, you can count him, but no, we wont"
I don't know where he will be but he has a good chance of getting into a School Psych program very near us. It's not what he'd prefer, but he could live home to save money and still attend full time if he wanted too.
Profile seems to want names of schools way before anyone would know and awards which is why I found it premature to do it very early.