Community Chat

[ScrapHappy]

For those who have experience with this or going thru it now.  My daughter will be heading off to college this fall.  We did the FAFSA  form and, if you're going thru this now, it has been released late, delayed, etc.  WE heard from FAFSA  in the beginning of March of what we qualify for and from my understanding it then gets sent to the colleges listed on FAFSA form and then the college sends out their "award letters" which, because of the new FAFSA  roll out issues, is also delayed.  While watching the news today, they were talking about how students and their families are still waiting to hear from colleges and even though it's very late in the game, to not accept the first FAFSA offfer from the first college you hear from.  That got me all confused.  Isn't what was offered directly from FAFSA is what to expect from the college?  Do they lessen the amount?  Do they increase the amount?  

[spumoni99]

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@ScrapHappy wrote:

For those who have experience with this or going thru it now.  My daughter will be heading off to college this fall.  We did the FAFSA  form and, if you're going thru this now, it has been released late, delayed, etc.  WE heard from FAFSA  in the beginning of March of what we qualify for and from my understanding it then gets sent to the colleges listed on FAFSA form and then the college sends out their "award letters" which, because of the new FAFSA  roll out issues, is also delayed.  While watching the news today, they were talking about how students and their families are still waiting to hear from colleges and even though it's very late in the game, to not accept the first FAFSA offfer from the first college you hear from.  That got me all confused.  Isn't what was offered directly from FAFSA is what to expect from the college?  Do they lessen the amount?  Do they increase the amount?  

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Its been 14 years since we filled out a FAFSA form but it sounds like the colleges may offer additional scholarships.

[Desertdi]

[nelc]

I’m going through the same thing with my daughter.
She received the offer from her preferred school, are they saying not to accept it and wait?
They have extended the deadline to May 15 because of the FAFSA issue.
It’s a very stressful time.

[ScrapHappy]

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@nelc wrote:
I’m going through the same thing with my daughter.
She received the offer from her preferred school, are they saying not to accept it and wait?
They have extended the deadline to May 15 because of the FAFSA issue.
It’s a very stressful time.

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What I don't understand is this:  after the school(s) applied to, what is the offer?  Does the offer from the college include FAFSA?  The school can't deny, increase or decrease FAFSA that FAFSA itself said you qualified for?  I've heard that colleges have received FAFSA information in March but according to some of the colleges I've contacted, they haven't received any information.  My daughter has been accepted to the school she wants to attend.  We know she isn't receiving any scholarship money.  

[Zoe]

In my experience, many schools awarded additional aid beyond what the FAFSA said was needed. This is based on merit/academic excellence, course of study, etc. Out of seven schools, can't think of one that offered just the bare minimum stated in the FAFSA.

Personally, I wouldn't accept the first offer, but ymmv. Ultimately, we waited for every school's package, ran the numbers and selected not the cheapest cost -- but the one that offered the best educational and extracurricular opportunities. Turned out to be a good decision.

Good luck! You'll figure out the best option.

[OneHappyHiker]

@ScrapHappy I never went through this but boy does it sound extremely frustrating and nerve wracking! I'm not sure which schools you already contacted, but I would continue to call your daughter's first choice, talk with the appropriate people in charge of this mess, and ask specific questions and advice on what to do right now so nothing is less than what is deserved. That's the only way she gets her answer on what she's getting so you all can plan.

College is stressful enough to not know what's going on and being fearful you are missing the boat.Stay on it, get transferred to other people who can better help, continue talking to those in charge. Most importantly, be sure you get info for her college of choice so that is all done correctly. FAFSA should also know this information. Someone needs to help you!

Good luck getting all the answers, and good luck to your daughter for a wonderful college experience. Sorry I couldn't help more. 

[nelc]

@ScrappyHappy I thought the offer from the college included the FAFSA, but you’re absolutely right if they are delayed in submitting the information to the colleges how can that be.
I don’t understand why they had to change how the FAFSA worked. I didn’t go through this with my son.
We visited her preferred school this weekend and they had a discussion about this. I think my only option now is to have a one on one meeting with the financial aid office and see where we stand.
We are in limbo.

[OneHappyHiker]

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@Desertdi wrote:

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Thank you @Desertdi for continuing to post pictures of items referred to in posts. I didn't know what FAFSA stood for and was just about to look it up when you posted lol. It's nice having it right on the thread!

[sunshine45]

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@Zoe wrote:

In my experience, many schools awarded additional aid beyond what the FAFSA said was needed. This is based on merit/academic excellence, course of study, etc. Out of seven schools, can't think of one that offered just the bare minimum stated in the FAFSA.

Personally, I wouldn't accept the first offer, but ymmv. Ultimately, we waited for every school's package, ran the numbers and selected not the cheapest cost -- but the one that offered the best educational and extracurricular opportunities. Turned out to be a good decision.

Good luck! You'll figure out the best option.

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this is exactly how we handled it @Zoe .