Financially Illiterate...

<p>My parents make way too much for us to ever qualify for need-based aid, and because of this, I checked that I would not be applying for financial aid when I filled out the common app. My parents still expect me to be responsible for paying for part of my education (most likely at a private Top-25 school) and I will need to take out a small loan in order to do this.</p>

<p>However, my mom was reading this article in our local newspaper that talked about paying for college and it said that students are only eligible for reduced-interest loans if they apply for financial aid. Does this mean that (1) I won’t be eligible for student loans because we don’t have financial need and (2) If I am still eligible for loans, can I still apply for financial aid (to get the loans) even though I originally checked that I wouldn’t be applying on the common app?</p>

<p>You can still apply for financial aid. Since you changed your mind AFTER you submitted your common application, just call up the schools and tell them the change and you’re set to go.</p>