A few questions about FAFSA.

thumper1
Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:01:08 +0000

1. At the end of the parent financial information, it asks “Do you want to skip the remaining questions about your and your parents’ income and assets?”

Should I skip the questions or not?

Are you an independent student? If not, it sounds like you answered YES to one of the questions pertaining to this (orphan, guardianship, married, have dependent children, have bachelors degree, over age 24, veteran)…if you answered NO to all of those question you would NOT have gotten that option.

If you are independent really…then no you do not have to put the parent info in…but if you goofed and you are a dependent undergrad, you need to figure out what you answered incorrectly.



2. Do you get more financial aid if you choose to live on-campus or off-campus?



Your need based financial aid is based on the cost of attendance at the schools (one criterial) as well as the school’s policies re: awarding aid. The cost of attendance usually is higher for on campus than commuters…but it’s usually the same or similar for students living off campus (but not commuting from home). BUT remember, if you are living not with your family you have to pay those costs…so consider that too.



Someone told me you get more if you live off-campus, but it makes sense if you choose to live on-campus because that means you have to pay more for dorms and such.



If you live OFF campus you have to pay rent, utilities, food, etc. It’s not free to live off campus either. BUT really you need to check YOUR schools.

Regardless…you need to check the option you are REALLY doing. Simply put…the school will KNOW if you are living on or off campus and will adjust your aid accordingly. So just be honest. Don’t try to get more money…just answer the question with what you really will be doing.