<p>My S graduates from college in May and plans to go to culinary school after working for six months to a year. He wants to do the two-year program at the Culinary Institute of America, which will give him an AA degree. I assumed that he would file the FAFSA based on his income, but the FA officer at CIA says he has to be 24 for his income to count instead of ours. I know I should get over my shock and believe her, but I’d love for the answer to be different. Has anyone had experience with this kind of situation–a postgraduate certificate or AA program in a profession after receiving a BA?</p>
<p>For the most part, he should be an independent student based on the fact that he completed his first bachelors. </p>
<p>However, the wording on the FAFSA states :</p>
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<p>Since your son is going for an additional associates degree (not a grad degree), then theoretically, he would not be an independent student, because he is not pursuing a grad degree/certificate. So based on the wording from FAFSA.gov, the school is determining that your son is not an independent student.</p>
<p>hopefully Kelsmom, will chime in and provide some professional insight.</p>
<p>I believe if you already have a Bachelor’s degree you are not eligible for any Federal aid for a second undergraduate degree (Associate’s or second Bachelor’s). From the CIA’s website</p>
<p>Federal Pell Grant
If you have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to students on the basis of need. A confirmed Federal Pell Grant is credited to your CIA student account in two equal installments. These grants range from $555 to $5,550 annually.</p>
<p>Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Similarly, if you have not yet received a bachelor’s degree, you may be considered for a Federal SEOG. Grants are awarded on the basis of exceptional financial need. A confirmed Federal SEOG is credited to your CIA student account in two equal installments. Although these grants can range from $100 to $4,000, an average award at the CIA is $400 annually.
[Federal</a> Aid-The Culinary Institute of America](<a href=“http://www.ciachef.edu/admissions/finaid/need.asp]Federal”>http://www.ciachef.edu/admissions/finaid/need.asp)</p>
<p>My daughter is graduating in May with a BA and going to get her masters + teaching credential. I filled out the FAFSA and her EFC came out as “0”. We had the option of putting in parental information and I did. I also filled it out for S2 who will be a college sophomore and his came out the same as always. Does anyone have experience with graduate school financial aid? I know way back when, when I went to pharmacy school they counted my parents income. I wonder if it is different for a professional school (MD, Pharm.D, MBA, etc…) than a teaching credential/masters.</p>
<p>Unless your daughter receives some kind of merit aid from the school that she will be attending, most of the financial aid that she will receive will be in the form of loans.</p>
<p>IF your child is going to law/med school and is under 27 (30 at some schools), they will require the information and assets of the parents. this will most likely be done through need access or their own individual forms. remember your grad student can borrow up to the full cost of attendance through a grad plus loan.</p>
<p>NO federal aid other than loans after the first bachelors is earned. And the student is NOT automatically independent. If it is still an undergrad degree, the undergrad rules apply. The student must meet the age requirement to be considered independent. In addition, the loans are capped at the undergrad max … dependent level is $31,000 and $54,500 for dependent. On top of that, the annual amount is capped by year in school. If it is an AA, the first year would be $5500 max.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. It’s clear we have more research to do. I’m a relative novice here because we didn’t do undergrad loans. It sounds like he/we will have to take out private loans if the federally guaranteed loans are capped at $5,500. The difference between now and four years ago is I’m going to get my S involved in the research. We do have a small amount of college savings left over, so that will help.</p>
<p>Does he have income/credit history or will you be cosigning for his private loans? One thing you might consider, since he’s a senior and hasn’t borrowed yet, is whether it would make sense to have him request his Stafford loan this semester (assuming he has room in his COA after any other scholarships,etc.). I believe he could request up to the max of $7500. Rates for unsubsidized loans are fixed at 6.8% so it may or may not make sense but federal loans have very good repayment options and it might help him establish a little credit history if he otherwise has none while saving more of his college fund for culinary school. Good luck!</p>
<p>That is a really good suggestion.</p>