CSS & FAFSA - 2 kids in college next year

Paying for College
1

<p>Dd#1 is currently a college freshman with free tuition because my husband is a full-time employee of her college. She will live at home next year, so essentially next year will cost us only about $1000 for her – for books and fees. </p>

<p>Dd#2 is a high school senior who has applied to several colleges and probably won’t attend the college with free tuition. </p>

<p>The FAFSA asked only how many college students we’ll have next year. It didn’t ask how much we’re paying for tuition, room and board for dd#1. The CSS asked for the name of dd#1’s college and how much she received in scholarships and grants (I did include the benefit of her free tuition there.) It feels dishonest to just leave it at that. Dd#1 made the decision to live at home next year after dd#2’s CSS and FAFSA were filed. One of dd#2’s schools called her today to ask for some details about dd#1, but didn’t ask about the costs, they just wanted to know where dd#1 goes to college.</p>

<p>Our most recent EFC was half of last year’s and the only thing that has changed is that we’ll have two kids in college next year. I don’t want to be dishonest because it just feels wrong, and I don’t want dd#2 caught in the middle of an awkward situation with her financial aid once she’s in college. We can use as much aid as we can get, but clearly want to come by it honestly. </p>

<p>Should I write a letter to the financial aid offices of dd#2’s schools to explain the cost of dd#1’s college attendance for next year? Should I file a FAFSA and CSS for Dd#1?</p>

2

<p>You won the lottery! How much you pay for the 2 students is totally irrelevant. For many, this is an issue because they pay a lot. For a few, like you, it’s a bonus. You are not being dishonest. You filed the CSS & FAFSA for dd#2, answering the questions honestly. Relax.</p>

3

<p>If your daughter receives a 1098 from the university, someone will have to claim the scholarship on a tax form somewhere.</p>