Can someone help explain the fin. aid process?

AnnaN5 · Apr 30, 2004

I found the website (http://www.fafsa.org), but I'm so confused! There's so many loans, grants, etc. I want the max I can get, b/c I don't plan on working while in clinicals. (Once I'm finally accepted!) Will they give you that much for cost of living usually? I'm married with one child.
I just want to know how you all applied, and how much more you got than was absolutely necessary. Thank you.

Pretty much what you need to do is fill out the FAFSA form, then the goverment/school determines what you are eligible for and how much they are going to give you. Unfortunately you don't have a whole lot of say in that matter, its kind of just like rolling the dice and hoping they give you the maximums. If the financial aid package they put together doesn't cover all of your expenses then you will have to look into private loans from banks and other non-goverment lenders.

sweetyjen · Apr 30, 2004

Hi! All you really need to do is apply at that website (fafsa.org) and a report will be send to your school. For the fafsa you will put in all of your income info and everything and it will calculate how much they think you should be able to pay. (EFC). Then once the report is sent to your school, the financial aid office will contact you and let you know what you qualify for. Anyone can receive a federal student loan. Grants, though, are just based on your income and how many family members, etc... So you may or may not qualify for those depending on your situation. I am a single mother with 1 child so I qualified for the max...but that also includes a huge debt for loans! I am allowed money for childcare, gas, cost of living, etc...not to say that it actually covers all of that! The majority of my money is student loans. For both semesters this year my total in loans is $10,000. So...anyway, I hope this helps a little!! :)

I found the website (http://www.fafsa.org), but I'm so confused! There's so many loans, grants, etc. I want the max I can get, b/c I don't plan on working while in clinicals. (Once I'm finally accepted!) Will they give you that much for cost of living usually? I'm married with one child.
I just want to know how you all applied, and how much more you got than was absolutely necessary. Thank you.

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Apr 30, 2004

Hi! All you really need to do is apply at that website (fafsa.org) and a report will be send to your school. For the fafsa you will put in all of your income info and everything and it will calculate how much they think you should be able to pay. (EFC). Then once the report is sent to your school, the financial aid office will contact you and let you know what you qualify for. Anyone can receive a federal student loan. Grants, though, are just based on your income and how many family members, etc... So you may or may not qualify for those depending on your situation. I am a single mother with 1 child so I qualified for the max...but that also includes a huge debt for loans! I am allowed money for childcare, gas, cost of living, etc...not to say that it actually covers all of that! The majority of my money is student loans. For both semesters this year my total in loans is $10,000. So...anyway, I hope this helps a little!! :)

Thanks, Jen. Yes, that does help. I used a sample calculator, and it told me my amount out of pocket should be over $4,000. Like I can just go write them a check for that! LOL But at least I know it's just one app. for everything, and not as intimidating.

manna, BSN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

Check with your school financial aid office - there may also be state or school specific grants and scholarships that you can apply for directly through them.

Your financial aid award - calculated by your school - is based on cost of attendance and EFC (estimated family contribution - based on your income). You cannot borrow any more federal funds than the cost of attendance (this is happening to me - I have very little loans due to grants/scholarships, but can't borrow any more though I would like to and I'm not maxed out - because of COA limits. Also, if you've had any drastic changes in income (loss of job, for example) or large expenses (medical bills), you can fill out a special circumstances form and possibly alter/lower your EFC.

I think the correct website is actually http://www.fafsa.gov

Good luck! :)

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · Apr 30, 2004

Check with your school financial aid office - there may also be state or school specific grants and scholarships that you can apply for directly through them.
Your financial aid award - calculated by your school - is based on cost of attendance and EFC (estimated family contribution - based on your income). You cannot borrow any more federal funds than the cost of attendance (this is happening to me - I have very little loans due to grants/scholarships, but can't borrow any more though I would like to and I'm not maxed out - because of COA limits. Also, if you've had any drastic changes in income (loss of job, for example) or large expenses (medical bills), you can fill out a special circumstances form and possibly alter/lower your EFC.
I think the correct website is actually http://www.fafsa.gov
Good luck! :)

I double checked the site, and it is http://www.fafsa.org Just in case anyone else needs it.

It sounds like I really need to speak to a fin. aid counselor. I might need more in the way of loans than just what federal will give me. We're so encouraged to attend college, but we need a little more financial support it sounds like. This seems similar to the endless cycle of hospitals needing nurses, but not providing enough clinicals spots, and a shortage on teaching staff. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the info.

bigmona · Apr 30, 2004

actually, the website where you can fill out the fafsa is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

EMTtoRN · Apr 30, 2004

Yes sit down with the financial aid person. But first fill out the fafsa online and print out the results to take with you. That way they can tell you everything. That $4000 it calculated for you includes costs toward cost of living, and school attendance so dont let that scare you.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Apr 30, 2004

Thanks, Jen. Yes, that does help. I used a sample calculator, and it told me my amount out of pocket should be over $4,000. Like I can just go write them a check for that! LOL But at least I know it's just one app. for everything, and not as intimidating.

Actually it is not that easy. You fill out the fafsa. Do it yourself on the government pages, I think someone has the link above. Do not use fafsa.org cause they want to charge you. It should not cost anything to do the applicaiton. Now after that is done, and you need more then what the grants are going to give you, you will need to fill out a student loan application available at your financial aid office. Then it has to go through your schools office, and then through an office at the financial institution of your choice, and then through a place like Sallie Mae. This is the time consuming part that can screw you up. I began apply for my student loan for the spring semester in february, and just got the last installment of it for this semester. It was awful. See "what is your financial aid office like.." or something similar that thread. Our financial aid office will not accept any loan applications for fall until June. Good luck!

studentnurse74, LPN, LVN · May 1, 2004

actually, the website where you can fill out the fafsa is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Yes, that is the right one! My fin. aid adviser just told me to use that one and that one only. Thanks for clarifying.