What do I get out of disclosing my social security? Also, in the most recent tax year, my household income was above 200,000, but usually, it is around 100-150 thousand. I don’t want colleges thinking that it is >200,000 every year because wouldn’t that qualify me for less aid? What should I put? Should I just leave it blank?
What you put as far as income on your ApplyTexas isn’t going to matter. I assume they use it to determine your socioeconomic status for admission. You’ll fill out the FAFSA in February, and that’s how your schools will determine how much aid you get.
As for your SSN, pretty sure they’re going to need it to prove your identity at some point.
Generally you don’t get a choice in whether to disclose the most recent year’s income for financial aid. Too bad if you had a great year right before starting college – colleges don’t care. If you have a worse year in the future, some colleges will up aid. Unless Texas is different from other colleges, you won’t get any aid at 200,000, and little or none at $150K. What does the net price calculator tell you on the UT website financial aid page?
You can’t get Federal Loans without giving an SSN.
@SlimShadyLady What about scholarships??? They have a scholarship section on the applytexas app for UT
The scholarships are merit-based, so financial status shouldn’t be a consideration. If you really aren’t comfortable disclosing it and the app will let you submit without it, don’t submit it. All aid will be handled through FAFSA.