- 4
- 3 (but still some work to do on separate honors/scholarship/other program apps)
- ?
@MACmiracle We had a similar issue with our 2007 Toyota Sienna. The hatch would go up and then start to come down - scared the bejeezus out of me the first time that happened because, of course, I was getting something out of the hatch. I don’t think I’ve ever moved that fast, lol. Mine happened during the winter. We started using a broomstick to hold it open.
Basically, the struts or whatever were worn out. My BIL was able to go down to the local parts place and replace them in under an hour for the price of parts - about $75. The Toyota dealership wanted $500 to do the same work.
So … you can probably find a reputable garage or friend who can do that work for MUCH less than the dealership. I am a big fan of our dealership, but that quoted price was ridiculous and it was for after-market parts, too. It’s so old it doesn’t matter who does the job, lol.
2 applications-2 done- 1 supplemental essa, (although should have been 2 supplemental essays because she should have applied for the honors college at the 2nd school too but she opted out of applying for the honors college when she saw the essay she said it was stupid and it was her safety anyway, she doesn’t want to go to that school and it’s a pretty sure bet she will get into her desired school so she didn’t want to put in the extra effort into a stupid essay for honors for a college she didn’t plan to go to (I have to agree, the essay was pretty stupid).
Apps:
DD hasn’t finalized her list yet. There are 16 on it, but some will be coming off. I’m thinking she’ll end up with 10-12.
No applications have been submitted 
The common app is complete and she’s going over her essay this week with one of the English teachers.
10 supplementals, hoping some can be used multiple times with a bit of editing!
Re: cars. We have a 2002, 2003, and 2005. All over 100K, one over 200K. We buy them used and drive 'em til they’re dead. DH does all of the maintenance and most of the repairs.
Has anyone started the FASFA application? Should we be filling as a “Not a Student Option”
I need to amend my poll response; I was just including college apps and not scholarship or extra program apps. So one college application, one completed, essays I think 12 or 13 (but several are short answer). All but one essay is for a single application for a supplemental program/scholarship.
- 2 (working on adding to the list)
- 1 (rolling application, admission offered, merit award letter just arrived) <:-P
- ? (0 required for the one completed, stuck on even getting first essay done, so afraid to look beyond that)
I think it’s best if the student starts with their ID. The FASFA is the student’s aid application. Parents just fill out the financial info and sign with parent ID at the end.
Make sure you keep track who is parent 1 and 2.
I put my H as P1 since he is first on our tax return. I am P2 and the one with the FSA ID so I sign as P2.
Everything I’ve read says to start as the student. I put my husband as parent 1 since he is first on the return, also, andw will sign as him, too.
We only need one parent to have an id/sign things, right?
And now many people, including me, are having trouble with the IRS data retrieval tool. Guess I’ll try later.
I paid a lot of bills today, even stuff that’s not due yet.
I don’t want to start the FAFSA until I know for sure the first group of colleges D wants to apply to. I’m hoping for a conference tonight.
But I should check to confirm in my file that I have our IDs. Just pulling out that file makes me nauseous.
ETA: I looked at my notes and I only have info for me and not H. I hope something isn’t missing.
The Sienna struts actually ended up being recalled. I had them replaced on my 2004 and 2009 for free under warrenty. They failed on my 2004, almost killed me. I am just glad it wasn’t a kid in there when it happened. When I purchased my 2009 in 2011 that was the first thing I asked about. They replaced them withou a fuss even though they hadn’t failed yet.
Yes, only one parent signs so only one parent needs a FSA ID.
I figured that there might be some problems on the first day.
Here in socal we like our Prius and its carpool lane stickers - upgrade as needed for the stickers. Nothing fancy but they are bulletproof and don’t break.
- Probably around 11 (4 complete, and 3 CSU and 2 UC apps likely to follow, one Canada, one 5 yr OT option).
- 4 Submitted (1 acceptance)
- No Idea on Essays - first 4 really had none other than a couple brief short answer questions. Expect just the UC app will have essays for us and will not warrant countless hours of essay writing as I really believe in the get it done well and move on approach.
S is at work, if he doesn’t have too much homework we might try the FAFSA later. But I kind of wanted to be able to have D start a renewal FAFSA so I could then have the parent info transferred from hers by clicking on " have another child to fill out FAFSA for". But she is away at college and studying for exams.
So I might wait a bit. We don’t qualify for federal aid except loans anyway. And the state grant should be fine.
Number applying to: 14
Number done: 0. Big fat goose egg
Number supplemental essays: a lot. I haven’t counted them
Progress was made with the essay, you know THE essay. She completed a draft and has it in to Eng teacher for review. Thank God school makes them do it or we wouldn’t be here.
I have given her a goal date of 10/8 to apply to one EA school, one of her safeties. We’ll see if she makes it
So pretty much I’'m done with the FAFSA, but I want to try to get that DRT to work. I filled in some stuff manually from my tax return, but I understand it’s easier/faster/less chance of verification if you use the DRT. Filling it in manually allowed me to get to assets, and then DD’s DRT - which worked flawlessly, go figure.
Maybe I’ll try later tonight or early tomorrow morning, when demand is less.
Ugh FAFSA. Need to work on that today I suppose. I guess I have to do it twice now? Since I’ll have two in college.
@mommdc I have four years of info from my oldest kid who graduated. I think it was her last year filing that the FAFSA ID started. Before they used another system. I clearly write down her info and labeled it fasfa ID. Then there’s a user name and Password above it, but I’m not sure if it’s mine. So basically I’m afraid to use it.
Since this is years later, I’m wondering if I can just apply for a new id rather than trying it and messing something up.
Or I could try the retrieval tool… that scares me, too!
https://blog.ed.gov/2017/09/how-to-fill-out-the-fafsa-when-you-have-more-than-one-child-in-college/
@AmyBeth68 here you go. The good thing is that your EFC will be split in half with 2 in college.