Trying to get financial aid is making my head spin!!

[CaitlinLiz]

Hello everyone! My name is Caitlin and I'm 22 years old. I watch the boards more than I write on them but have told myself I am going to contribute alot more this year. I'm writing on the board today to ask for advice and assistance with my financial aid process. I have realized we are already halfway through January, and I have begun to recieve W-2's and such from 2009. So I'll start by explaining my background as far as school goes. I moved to NJ from IL and had all of my prerequisite courses (2 years of full-time education) necessary for the RN program in IL finished (classes such as biology, math courses, english, statistics, etc.). When I moved to NJ it transfered over different and those classes I had already done were part of the program. So technically, I have half of the course layout for the RN program finished already. Anyway, I applied for a private school here in NJ (Holy Name Nursing School in Teaneck for those of you in NJ). I was accepted to the school and was sent information for completing the FAFSA and getting financial aid. It stated that you should begin the process shortly after January 1st and that aid is time sensitive as far as "first come first serve" goes. I have not gotten all of my documents so I know I can not apply for FAFSA yet, but is there anything I can do in the mean time?

How do I go about finding scholarships and grants? I have been given the general links to them but it seems like when I do go to them and do scholarship searches there is always at least one little detail that makes me ineligable to apply for them, I get rather frusterated because I don't know what I'm doing and am doing it on my own without much assistance.

I have little to zero experience doing my own taxes, filing FAFSA's, and getting financial aid. My father doesn't have a job (nor does he want one... a not-so-good story that we will keep off the boards) and has nothing he is able to contribute to my schooling. He has no idea how any of the financial aid processes work and is being very stubborn as far as filling out the forms I need, as well as taking his sweet time. My mother has passed away and my dad is remarried. Are they going to count my step-mothers income in my EFC number?

I would love any and all advice and information you would like to give.

:redbeatheCait

[itsmejuli]

Have you talked to the financial aid person at the school? They should be able to answer all of your questions.

[My3Sons407]

Ask your financial aid office. They are usually very helpful. In most schools the cut off for priority financial aid is March 1. You will have to use your dad and stepmom's info until you are able to declare independent status. Is this for the fall semester? You still have time, you should be ok.

[CBsMommy]

The Spring 2010 semester is going to be based on last year's taxes. If you need this for summer or fall, just file the FAFSA when you file your taxes. Are you a dependent student? You will need your parent's info as well when you file the FAFSA. The FAFSA is pretty easy and will give you a list of info that you need to have before you can proceed. I agree with everyone else, go talk to the financial aid people at your school. They will make it clear for you. Good luck!