Include Parent's info on FAFSA? Forum

[dueprocess14]

Hey all, trying to get a jump on things and file my FAFSA and it asks whether I want to include my parent's information and says that some schools ask for it. Does anyone know whether or not schools that require a parent's info want it in the FAFSA, or is it acceptable to just put that in the school-specific financial aid applications?

Thanks!

[animalcrkrs]

bump

I was wondering this as well.
Also, when you get to the part about AGI it's easy to estimate for 2008, but when it asks for this under finances:

Enter the amount of your (and your spouse's) income tax for 2008 (question 37):
Enter your (and your spouse's) exemptions for 2008 (question 38):

it makes me think I actually have to DO my 1040EZ before I can complete this?

<EDIT>: I just answered my own question, yes, I did have to look at the form to get the figures, but the exercise took about 5 minutes. Whew, I can still complete this FAFSA thing

[snotrocket]

Graduate students never have to provide parent data on the FAFSA. If your school requires Need Access, then you'll have to give it there (unless you fit one of the loopholes for "independence" by whatever rules your school uses).

[dooder]

Graduate students never have to provide parent data on the FAFSA. If your school requires Need Access, then you'll have to give it there (unless you fit one of the loopholes for "independence" by whatever rules your school uses).

+1

[vee]

Graduate students never have to provide parent data on the FAFSA. If your school requires Need Access, then you'll have to give it there (unless you fit one of the loopholes for "independence" by whatever rules your school uses).

Forgive my ignorance, but Need Access =/= FAFSA, correct?

On the GW website it says that because I am under 30, I have to provide my parents' incomes as well.
http://www.law.gwu.edu/Admissions/finan ... fault.aspx

Thoughts?

[snotrocket]

Forgive my ignorance, but Need Access =/= FAFSA, correct?

Correct.

On the GW website it says that because I am under 30, I have to provide my parents' incomes as well.
http://www.law.gwu.edu/Admissions/finan ... fault.aspx

Yeah, GW apparently requires the CSS PROFILE form (mentioned on that page). Need Access and PROFILE are equivalent, and both are just more in depth forms that some schools require in addition to FAFSA (which is required for you to receive federal loans).

[vee]

GW isn't doing the Profile form any longer, but this paragraph is in the notice that accompanied that announcement (off the main finaid page):

"For those who will be seeking need-based grants for the 2009-2010
academic year, only the FAFSA form will be required
(including parental data for students who will be 28 years old or
younger as of August 1, 2009)."

^weak!

Edit: Well, I went off the link that I posted earlier and only included my data. If they want mummy and daddy's, they can call me.

[coolio]

GW isn't doing the Profile form any longer, but this paragraph is in the notice that accompanied that announcement (off the main finaid page):

"For those who will be seeking need-based grants for the 2009-2010
academic year, only the FAFSA form will be required
(including parental data for students who will be 28 years old or
younger as of August 1, 2009)."

What is up with this at GW? All the other schools I'm applying to have very nicely laid out financial aid sections. All you get at GW is this strange link to a pdf file telling you that you need to fill out your parents' financial information on the FAFSA, even though the FAFSA explicitly states that you don't have to as a grad student.

[cofcrunner]

Graduate students never have to provide parent data on the FAFSA. If your school requires Need Access, then you'll have to give it there (unless you fit one of the loopholes for "independence" by whatever rules your school uses).

+1

-1? I was under the impression that some schools (see Berkeley) require parent's info for anyone under 30, which is insane.

[sibley]

Graduate students never have to provide parent data on the FAFSA. If your school requires Need Access, then you'll have to give it there (unless you fit one of the loopholes for "independence" by whatever rules your school uses).

+1

-1? I was under the impression that some schools (see Berkeley) require parent's info for anyone under 30, which is insane.

Right.

But for the schools that don't require parents info, should we submit separately and not include it? Is there the possibility that our parents' incomes could hurt our financial aid? Eg.... I'm working right now and making 26k, but I have tons of undergrad loans, etc. My mom makes about 60k. Her income is still low, but does anyone know if it'll hurt my aid?

[a male human]

Just talked to UC Hastings finaid office rep... This school at least wants parent info on the Need Access form but not on FAFSA. I told them I don't anticipate needing any need-based aid, and he said then I can just turn in the FAFSA only for federal aid.

[sibley]

Just talked to UC Hastings finaid office rep... This school at least wants parent info on the Need Access form but not on FAFSA. I told them I don't anticipate needing any need-based aid, and he said then I can just turn in the FAFSA only for federal aid.

did you get into hastings? they just waitlisted me with a similar gpa + higher lsat...

anyway, most schools say on their site if they want parental information. If they don't say then I think it's safe to assume they don't want.

[a male human]

Just talked to UC Hastings finaid office rep... This school at least wants parent info on the Need Access form but not on FAFSA. I told them I don't anticipate needing any need-based aid, and he said then I can just turn in the FAFSA only for federal aid.

did you get into hastings? they just waitlisted me with a similar gpa + higher lsat...

anyway, most schools say on their site if they want parental information. If they don't say then I think it's safe to assume they don't want.

Yeah, I got in. I put down a slightly different LSAT in my profile out of paranoia that schools will find out which schools I applied to.

[CordeliusX]

I was asking this earlier... anyone know how soon the FAFSA and Need Access process? Is it more or less instantly sent to the target schools?

[sibley]

I was asking this earlier... anyone know how soon the FAFSA and Need Access process? Is it more or less instantly sent to the target schools?

It takes a few days to process... all I know.