<p>I have not completed FAFSA form yet … I completed a test run and my EFC is pretty high. I’m in a tricky spot, 2 working parents generate fair income, but we are getting ready to send 1st of 4 kids to college. Question - can you negotiate with colleges without giving them FAFSA ? I really don’t want to share my financial info with them. We live in Virginia and my son has been accepted to U of Maryland and RPI. I have heard that state schools can waive out of state status and charge in-state - that would be huge. Any advice how to approach either college for tuition reduction ?</p>
<p>You will nto have any financial aid to negotiate for unless at minimum you file the FAFSA. If your school requires the CSS profile, you need to file those also. Since you have not applied for financial aid or filed any forms what you have essentially told the school that you will be a full freight payer.</p>
<p>You would have to see if maryland has any reciprocity agreements with virginia that would allow you to be a virginia resident and pay instate tuition at maryland. other than that, where ever you live as your primary residence, that is where your son is a resident.</p>
<p>No FAFSA, no aid. File and get in the system. You may have already lost some aid.</p>
<p>I know that I won’t qualify for any Federal or State aid ( I input my financial data in a college aid program that gives you an idea of what your EFC would be and mine is above the full tuition amount; the program suggested that I seek loans)
I only hope to negotiate with schools for scholarships or other reductions
so why file FAFSA ?</p>
<p>Unless you’re talking solely merit scholarships, you file the FAFSA because they require it. (You also file the Profile when and if required.) Otherwise, you have nothing to “negotiate”. </p>
<p>It’s like asking, “Why do I have to file an application?” Because it’s required.</p>
<p>pardon my lack of knowledge in this area - this is my 1st experience and I have 3 more to go …
anyway, my son was accepted to a pricey private school, and less than 2 weeks later he recieved a “leadership” scholarship from the school; its helps, but its not enough for us to swing it. so, my thought is, if they can give that without seeing a FAFSA, why can’t I try to negotiate further on same basis. I haven’t contacted the college finance office yet … not sure what the best approach is.</p>
<p>“leadership” scholarship is a form of MERIT aid and has nothing to do with financial aid office.
To be in position to negotiate something you have to apply for something first - this is what FAFSA is about.</p>
<p>Scholarships are not related to need. Usually the amount is related to GPA, SATs, etc. He may be able to compete for a higher scholarship, if invited by the college. The FAFSA is for grants, deferred student loans, work study, etc. I would imagine that it would be difficult for a college to give you more money when they have not seen your financial picture. In our case the EFC is what every college got to. That is what we are expected to pay+loans.</p>
<p>If you refuse the FAFSA you’re pretty much agreeing to accept nothing but merit aid which means you’re on your own for the rest.</p>
<p>Welcome to the club of wanting to give your child that school experience he/she would like, but finding yourself strained to do it. We’re sending our first off to school too - as are thousands of to-be college freshman. </p>
<p>As this is your first one you definitely need to consider what you can afford later down the road for subsequent children if you spend “x” amount of dollars on the first.</p>
<p>It’s one of those realities that stinks - many of us have been there.</p>
<p>Most schools have criteria for merit aid. It is not usually “negotiable”.</p>
<p>One more thought here…you want to file FAFSA for the first child so that when you get the others in school, you have record of the first filing and then by the second, third, fourth it is on paper that you have multiples in college. Sorry but you just need to fill out the form.</p>
<p>Just fill out the form ~ it’s not like the government doesn’t already have your financial information ~ the FAFSA is for Federal Aid and criteria for the college to base their awards… </p>
<p>After my son had his FAFSA and award to his out of state college, he received more than we thought he would be eligible for. He even receive PA State Grant money for a WV school. He would not have received this without the FAFSA form. Some states automatically allow state grant money for in state and out of state colleges that you can only get through your FAFSA.</p>
<p>another thing to consider – if schools really want your kid, they can sometimes “re-evaluate” your need – meaning that you could qualify for a little more than you thought. FAFSA gives set guidelines for federal aid (and state aid in most cases) but each college can set their own criteria for awarding institutional aid (both financial and merit). It is worth a try.</p>
<p>There are many colleges out there that require you to complete a FAFSA even for MERIT (non-need-based) scholarships. Some schools target merit money at kids with little to no documented financial need.</p>
<p>Many of these schools wanted that FAFSA info by mid-Feb., so you may be losing money as we speak. If you want money from schools, you’re going to have to give them information. There are plenty of people in the same boat as you are. This is why so many wise folks on this list recommend applying to schools that are financial safeties (that you can afford regardless of FA package, or where your student has a shot at getting major merit $$). I hope you encouraged your student to apply to financial safeties so that if you refuse to submit fin info for FA, your student isn’t stuck with a list of great acceptances and no money to attend.</p>
<p>It took me until late in my freshman year in college to get my parents to complete FA info. Told me it was none of my business. Turns out I was eligible for full Pell and other subsizidied grants/loans. (I was the oldest of five kids.) Since they were so reluctant to submit info, and refused to help with any college expenses, I went independent as soon as I could. That’s not possible these days until your S/D is 24 years old, but in the early 80s, it was. </p>
<p>I don’t pretend to be objective on this one. Your student has obviously worked hard to get to this point and deserves your honesty as to what is financially feasible for you to provide, and the reasons why you don’t want to submit the FAFSA.</p>