just filled out the FAFSA online

[churchdoesmatter]

it was pretty easy to fill out the FAFSA online and my EFC (expected family contribution) is Zero

 

[pulse8]

ummmm...that's cool

and the other part sucks

 

[churchdoesmatter]

i'm going to be in DEEP DEBT...........

 

[Ornery]

Could some of you folks that have been down this road post some tips, please?

A friend of mine just finished getting his daughter through fours years of school. I seem to remember him telling me that you'd have to be a chump to save up for your kid's education, if you hope to get grants. All the money you sock away counts against you. I think he was even worried about getting too much overtime pay back then for the same reason. Damn, this sounds like a micro model of our whole lame welfare system!

 

[oLLie]

<< it was pretty easy to fill out the FAFSA online and my EFC (expected family contribution) is Zero >>


That sounds more like a good thing than a bad thing to me. I think it means that your family is expected to contribute zero dollars out of your own pocket (read: savings) to go towards your education. Someone either back me up or tell me I'm a stupid bastard. Only one or the other!

 

[PsychoAndy]

got a link?

BTW do your parents have to pay taxes in order to fill it out?

 

[churchdoesmatter]

yeah, u need the 2001 tax return forms.. if you didn't file the 2001, you can estimate from 2000 figures

 

[PsychoAndy]

what if your parents havent done the 2000 taxes?

 

[Hubris]

Ollie's right. If your expected family contribution is ), that means you'll most likely get all sorts of grants, with a couple federal loans thrown in. This, of course, depends on how well-endowed your prospective school is. If they have money, you'll have money. But the lower the EFC, the better for you.

 

[GhettoFob]

Yeah if your EFC is $0, that means your tuition is covered by your grants/loans etc..

 

[Gillbot]

cool, the good old FAFSA. let me go to college on a 98% free ride
that and a academic scholarship helped.

nowe eye cane speel realh gooodh!!!

 

[QueHuong]

<< yeah, u need the 2001 tax return forms.. if you didn't file the 2001, you can estimate from 2000 figures >>



I thought you have to have the latest (i.e. 2001) tax done? My counselor and uncle said I do, while you and another is saying otherwise. So anyone know for sure if my parents can use their previous tax records or do they have to file the tax right now to be able to fill out the FAFSA.

 

[Antoneo]

Hmm... I only have my parent's 2000 tax return forms so I should just use that right?
Also, should I request a PIN or mail out a signature form? Your parent needs to have a PIN as well, correct?

 

[churchdoesmatter]

yes, you need a PIN and your parents need a PIN as well .. it's better to get a PIN because you can correct your fafsa online with a PIN!.. you can also print out the page, but i wouldn't do that =/

 

[Jeff7]

Too bad the FAFSA system is all futzed up; PHEAA too (PA's assitance system). Online it says that people who make up to $100,000 a year (!) are eligible for some grant money. We are below $50K here, which should give us at least 75% tuition reimbursement. They said "You're making too much money" basically, and we got $300 - less than 25%. We're still trying to get it all straightened out. Sometimes ya wonder how much education the people running these organizations ever had....:disgust:

 

[Tommy2000GT]

I have the application form and it does not have the option for me to tell what my EFC is. It just tells me to f ill out my and my parents' financial information. AndI think I will get screwed because they will think my parents are paying and not me. How do I tell them my parents are not paying???