Michigan Need Aid Forum

[thalassocrat]

Duh, Needaccess... Now your comment makes much more sense. Apparently I didn't read beyond my own circumstances (because I'm old I didn't have to fill out parental info) and got my facts twisted. Oh well. At least I know Michigan isn't turning away people who have a clearly demonstrated need. Plus I learned something new about Needaccess.

No, Michigan is still turning away people with clearly demonstrated need. I've never made more than $4000 in any given year and my family, like I said, was below the poverty line while I was growing up. I'm considered 'independent' now, so my mom's financial information isn't even a consideration, correct?

I think this is incorrect. Need based aid does take your parents' income into account. If you think about it, why would a school even require the needaccess form to determine if they should give you money? They get all the relevant information from your FAFSA (income, current assests, etc.), so the only reason I can think of to require the additional form is to get your parents' financial info.

Michigan does not look at parental info. They use the NeedAccess form to determine historic financial history too (things like car(s) owned, whether or not the person filling it out ever received Pell Grants, loan amounts, etc.), and I think spouse info? These are things not covered by FAFSA.

[snickersnicker]

I never ended up filling out the form, so maybe Michigan's form does not require the following:

Parents' Information
Some institutions may require parents' financial data even though the student claims independent status. You are required to provide this information or it may result in denial of consideration for financial assistance.

If parents are married, they should both enter their information in the Parents' section.

If parents are separated or divorced, the main supporting parent (and stepparent, if applicable) should complete the Parents' section, and the other parent (and stepparent, if applicable) should complete the Divorced/Separated Parents' section.

The main supporting parent is the parent with whom the applicant lived the majority of the time in the last 12 months. If the applicant did not live with one parent more than with the other in the last 12 months, it is the parent who provided the most financial support during that time. If neither parent provided greater support during the last 12 months, it is the parent who provided the greater support during the most recent year that the applicant was actually supported by a parent.

http://www.needaccess.org/financial-aid ... ements.htm

I just got off the phone with NeedAccess, and they said UM doesn't even ask for parent information. The questions you get on the NeedAccess form populate based on the information required and/or accepted for need based aid consideration, and parent information is not included for UM. So unless UM wants me to fill out parent information on my FAFSA, even though I'm an independent student, there's no way for them to get my mom's tax info. I'll call them tomorrow.

[fortissimo]

Yeah, I didn't fill out my parental information last year. For the most part, law schools (or all graduate schools for that matter) don't take into account your parents' info, just your own info (if you have a family, debt, kids, etc.) You guys should definitely speak to FA about it though. (And fwiw, anecdotal, I have heard about people setting up appointments and getting money by talking to them one-on-one.)

[snickersnicker]

Okay, law school grants just went out. Definitely not mad at UM financial aid anymore.

[parker09]

Okay, law school grants just went out. Definitely not mad at UM financial aid anymore.

Can you elaborate? Or at least give a ballpark of whether they seem to be giving out $, $$, or $$$?

Actually, what I'm really trying to figure out is if it would have been possible for me to get more than $45k (total over 3yrs, and the amount I got in merit which negates need-based aid) in need.

[snickersnicker]

I got $22,500 per year, which is the same amount I got in federal (Sub/Unsub Stafford and Perkins) loans. Keep in mind, though, that this is for three semesters since I'm a summer starter. Also, I don't know how UM handles combined need and merit aid.

[parker09]

I got $22,500 per year, which is the same amount I got in federal (Sub/Unsub Stafford and Perkins) loans. Keep in mind, though, that this is for three semesters since I'm a summer starter. Also, I don't know how UM handles combined need and merit aid.

They don't combine need and merit (at least not for merit >$45k... dunno about the $30k amount). If you get merit, you're ineligible for need.

So I guess what I was trying to figure out was if I could relinquish my merit aid in the hopes of getting a greater amount in need... but given your financial circumstances (that you posted about a page back) and the amount you got, I doubt I'll get anything more than the $45k in merit I already have. So I'll just be happy with it

Thanks for the info!

[MPMP]

I got $22,500 per year, which is the same amount I got in federal (Sub/Unsub Stafford and Perkins) loans. Keep in mind, though, that this is for three semesters since I'm a summer starter. Also, I don't know how UM handles combined need and merit aid.

Did you have any debt, or just a low income? I have about 4k in gross income every year throughout college, and a relatively small amount of savings (compared to your grant) in a 529 plan, but nothing other than that. I wonder if I will be eligible for any help.

[Core]

I got $22,500 per year, which is the same amount I got in federal (Sub/Unsub Stafford and Perkins) loans. Keep in mind, though, that this is for three semesters since I'm a summer starter. Also, I don't know how UM handles combined need and merit aid.

They don't combine need and merit (at least not for merit >$45k... dunno about the $30k amount). If you get merit, you're ineligible for need.

So I guess what I was trying to figure out was if I could relinquish my merit aid in the hopes of getting a greater amount in need... but given your financial circumstances (that you posted about a page back) and the amount you got, I doubt I'll get anything more than the $45k in merit I already have. So I'll just be happy with it

Thanks for the info!

Are you sure? I got 30k in Merit and was told I would be receiving a need-based award, as well.

[parker09]

Are you sure? I got 30k in Merit and was told I would be receiving a need-based award, as well.

Yeah, my letter says:

"Although Dean's Scholarships are awarded without regard to financial need, because your award covers such a considerable portion of tuition, you will be ineligible for additional, need-based grants." And then some stuff about how to apply for loans.

I think I read in the main michigan thread that some other $45k+ people also had something like this in their letter, so maybe it only applies to $45k+ scholarships.