Financial Aid emergency question

Cairo_Mom
Sat, 12 Dec 2009 05:23:41 +0000

Hi Everyone, I am so confused about FA. I asked a question before, as we live abroad, and received some very helpful advice. We are Americans, pay tax in the States, our D has a SS number, so we are not internationals, in that respect. Our D applied early to Michigan and Yale, we did not get the FA forms in on time (and still have not) as expats don’t have to file for 2008 until December 15th (this week), so could not get them in. We expect a rejection or deferral from Yale as a result, and Michigan will probably wait for our financial aide profile and 2009 projection before making a decision on her as they have rolling admissions. Am I right about this?
Now for the big question. I don’t think we qualify for FA anyway. We were hoping they might take into account that we have no choice but to send our three kids to private school here in Cairo as they cannot attend the local Arabic public school, but I am not sure these forms make allowances for that situation.
So, should we just bag FA and if we do that, can we still try for federal education loans on our own without a university giving it to us or saying we qualify. In other words, one of the College calculators told me we probably don’t qualify, but should fill out FAFSA anyway for federal loans. I did not know whether this meant we had to fill out FAFSA through a school, even if we won’t get aid, or on our own once she gets in places.
And finally, if she does not apply for FA do I then call Yale and Michigan and say that she is not applying for it or am I stuck now giving them those documents.
Sorry to be so naive…all our friends and family are wealthy enough to have not needed FA!