Financial Aid? Forum

[emkay625]

This is a question of complete ignorance.

Am I supposed to be doing something in terms of scholarship applications/financial aid applications right now?

I've just been sitting and twiddling my thumbs waiting on admissions decisions...

[Hawkeye Pierce]

FAFSA and need access in early 2012.

[emkay625]

Thanks HP.

[emkay625]

another little question-

does a spouse's financial information matter? i have no student loans, but my husband has 60k. Will this have any impact or no?

[Nelson]

another little question-

does a spouse's financial information matter? i have no student loans, but my husband has 60k. Will this have any impact or no?

Pretty sure his financial situation will count. It will "help" you in that his debt would partially offset whatever assets you have, but since most law schools don't give out need based grants your need calculation isn't as big a deal as undergrad. It won't affect your eligibility for federal loans unless he has terrible credit.

[941law]

any clue on how long this process normally takes?

[Gail]

FAFSA and need access in early 2012.

Are tehse two separate things? FAFSA is government, is need access directly with the school?

[rinkrat19]

FAFSA and need access in early 2012.

Are tehse two separate things? FAFSA is government, is need access directly with the school?

NeedAccess is a private-run service a lot like FAFSA but about 100x more of a pain in the ass to fill out. (And I *think* it costs money, but I could be mistaken on that.)

Not all schools require it. I think (mostly?) private schools do.

Basically, check each school's website or any emails they've sent you to see what they want to you do about financial aid. Some schools won't need anything beyond FAFSA, some will require a supplemental application with more essays, some want FAFSA and NeedAccess, etc.