<p>We got virtually no aid last year (2010 was semi-robust – but not Lin-credible, if you know what I mean). 2011 is worse, but returns won’t be done for a while. I guess I’ll file with the “will file” note for 1040s, then submit as soon as they’re done. Emory says they offer aid if you make < $100K. Hope that’s true.</p>
<p>We had to do submit both FAFSA and CSS Profile by 2/1/12 for D1, who is a rising FY…so we went ahead and sent estimated FAFSA to S1’s school at the same time.</p>
<p>S1’s school offers just need-based aid, and we were grateful to qualify for <em>some</em> this first year. His school needs us to fill out just FAFSA for next academic year; no need to do CSS Profile again. They do require that we go back and update FAFSA with actual figures before 4/15… and to link with the IRS using the IDOC thing. </p>
<p>Our opportunity to explain ‘special circumstances’ lies with his school’s “Renewal Verification Worksheet.” We will also need to fill out the “Sibling Verification Form,” …once D1 decides where she will be going next year… much of shich, is contingent on how much she gets for institutional aid. Lots of balls in the air :)</p>
<p>bajamm - great that your D got her phone. I am sure she felt lost without one. D had to turn off her iPod (overheated) for a few hours and felt very disconnected !! Oy!</p>
<p>Oh wow - you folks are making me feel really bad about not yet starting on my taxes. I installed turbo tax a couple of days ago - but that’s about it 
We don’t qualify for need based aid at D’s school - but the finance director asked us to apply anyway last year (despite me giving her a ballpark figure for our EFC). H pushed me to do it and we did - they gave her a grant for 2500$. Not much, but every little bit helps, right? And now, if we want that grant renewed for this year, I have to file the FAFSA again. Groan But at least, the deadline is May 1st.</p>
<p>Feeling very overwhelmed and stressed out right now. D is on her sports rollercoaster and we spent a long time texting and finally a tearful 10 min call last night. She’s feeling a bit better about everything after that. H is getting very frustrated with his job (and he’s been at this job only for two months!). S is stressing out about his high school choice. And I am really stressed out listening to the three of them - feeling bad that I can’t really do much to help, but listen. Feeling so strung out that I could scream 
Thanks for listening…helps to vent!</p>
<p>^^ @Arisamp: sorry you’re feeling stressed. If misery loves company, then feel better knowing that my crazy family is causing my stomach lining to erode!! I know, I know, they need to lean on me…but sometimes I wish that the downpour of kvetching would slow down to a trickle.</p>
<p>It’s the weekend, have a drink on me.</p>
<p>^Cheers you two!! My DH and I still laugh about the year we gave up alcohol for Lent, it was 2009…right in the middle of Lent (March 9th) the Dow dropped to 6500. We started quoting the moving “Airplane!”…“looks like we picked the wrong week to stop drinking…” Needless to say, that is not an experience we will be repeating! :D</p>
<p>S2 (Yalie) just got great news, he’s been accepted for an internship in Europe for the summer. They handle the placement with the host company, visas, housing, etc. So happy for him but sad he’ll be so far away for the summer and S1 will also be in another (US) city for the summer for his internship, sigh :(. Looking into flights to visit them both though!!</p>
<p>Cheers yalemom! It must be 5pm in some part of the world, right? 5pm Friday - perfect - bring on the margaritas!!</p>
<p>Congratulations on the internship - that’s amazing! It is hard to have them away again for the summer - but this is the way it is going to be from now on, right? We have to get used to them being at home for short vacations 
D has signed on to be a camp counselor for the summer - will be in upstate NY for two months. A little too far to make trips home every time she gets a day off But we will try and see if we can go up there once or twice to see her…</p>
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<p>Yes, completely understand. My needs and concerns usually take a back seat to everyone else - it is ok with me for the most part, but some times (like this one right now), things just get to be too much, even for me!</p>
<p>Yalemom: Congrats to your son.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about your stress Arisamp and College4three. In my yoga class the instructor says to visualize your problems going down a waterfall and crashing away. Personally, I’d stick with the margaritas.</p>
<p>hugs to arisamp and college4three; hooray for yalemom S2</p>
<p>Looking forward to a 3 day weekend here!</p>
<p>Cheers to all. Chardonnay in 2 hours…</p>
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<p>It is hard to get the thought through my head that this is my new ‘normal’. I knew the day would come (even was pretty sure that it would be this summer…), but intellectually knowing something and having it emotionally sink in are two different things. It’s bittersweet to realize that by doing everything right as a parent you seal the deal that your children will leave you.</p>
<p>Yalemom: You hit the nail on the head. It is bittersweet, and while we’re happy for them, we miss the old days. Both of my D’s will be home for most of the summer, but I know that life will never be the same once D1 starts her job next fall.</p>
<p>No taxes started here either! I am procrastinating. D is a dependent and always worked for cash (tutoring and babysitting for small amounts) so I need to research what to do with the 1099s for the two scholarships and the paperwork from school. Maybe next weekend?</p>
<p>Got great news today - made the dean’s list. She neglected to tell us, silly thing!</p>
<p>Congrats Yalemom! Traveling to visit your DS will be great fun!
What will he be studying/interning for? </p>
<p>Not much going on here–Kiddo2 is still not well…the MD changed the antibiotic…and kiddo2 now has breathing treatments…
Its not flu. Not strep…
Fever of 101…headache, congestion/cough, very lethargic…</p>
<p>MD says it is very contagious…
ah, thanks, that is just peachy…</p>
<p>I did our taxes last weekend and see that both the federal and state refunds showed up overnight last night. YAY. Maybe I will go buy a new washing machine.</p>
<p>D is sad, she has to work most evenings of Mardi Gras weekend in NOLA, but will still get to go to day time parades as classes are cancelled on Monday and Tuesday. That doesn’t bother me, I’d rather she be at work than partying too much. </p>
<p>I found out that D broke her phone because she was trying to text while riding her bike and fell off the bike, sending the phone flying. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s not allowed to have a car on campus during freshman year.</p>
<p>I need to do FAFSA and CSS profile. I am not sure that will get done this weekend, should try just to get it out of the way.</p>
<p>bajamm - glad the phone was all she broke. yikes. </p>
<p>fog - sorry to read about kiddo2. poor kid. Hope the new antibiotic works.</p>
<p>mnmom- congrats to your D on dean’s list!</p>
<p>aris and college for 3 - vent away. Hope today is better. </p>
<p>yalemom - wow, how exciting for your kids! Book those flights.</p>
<p>I’m pages behind and can’t catch up so congrats to all on good news and hugs to anyone who is dealing with not so good news. </p>
<p>Boychild will be home for break sometime today. Haven’t heard from him in ages so not sure exactly when he’ll be showing up. He did email my mom this week thanking her for a painting she made for him so I know he is alive and that he had a long week of midterms and papers. </p>
<p>I flunked fostering (actually transporting) so we are now the proud parents of a 3 yr. old Japanese Chin. She is at her foster home in NJ waiting to get spayed and recuperating before her arrival. We’ve named her Daisy.</p>
<p>The school calendars between HS S and College D just don’t match up. HS S is off Mon for Pres Day, College D is not off. College D has week of March 5th for spring break, HS S has week of March 12th for spring break. Good thing we didn’t want to do a family vacation on spring break!</p>
<p>I am surprised that D’s college is not off for Pres day though.</p>
<p>cruisnfamily, You’re lucky you just have two kids! I’ve found that it’s rare that any two colleges have the same days off. We haven’t had many non-summer vacations with college kids for years. The kids that go to schools with co-ops are even more up the creek because they often go to school year round. My son’s college does have Presidents day Monday off but thankfully dorms are open because he’s too far away to come home for just a few days. No idea what he’s doing.</p>
<p>My D has class on Monday too. She is bummed!</p>
<p>Spring break is mid-March for DS. He and some friends are playing tourist in Boston and looking for a job. No one else would be home if he came home. I would just be aggravated by him sleeping late so works for us.</p>
<p>Good morning all. Today is Dad’s breakfast in our house so there are plenty of fresh blueberry pancakes and coffee for everyone.</p>
<p>S has spring break from March 2nd through the 11th. He has a club sport tournament through the first weekend and is flying home on the 5th for 6 days. He claims he will be looking for a summer job but I really think he will be sleeping in. He has no classes on Monday due to the holiday. He also has a short Easter break of 3 weekdays wrapped around Easter weekend. He will stay at school or go home with a friend for that break.</p>