Why isn't this question on the Fafsa form?

[hedgehog]

For those who aren't there yet, FAFSA is the Federal form that all the schools use to calculate you should be able to pay for your child's college education. The form does ask how many kids are in college simultaneously, but doesn't ask about any existing student loan that you may be paying off. Since a good chink of my income is going to paying off student loans for her elder siblings, my youngest is not in as rosy a position as the FAFSA would indicate.

[bicentennial_baby]

1. That's a good question!

I hate doing my FAFSA...Well, I didn't until I got married. One income, and about 40% of that income goes to our rent. He's going back to school this year as well, while paying off his student loans, and they expected me to pay out of pocket for about 40% of my year's tuition. Thankfully I get enough grants and scholarships that I don't have to pay, but still... grrrr.

[hedgehog]

2. It's also a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't on the tax breaks.

I have to work to get enough cash to pay for college for the kids, but with two incomes, we lose most of the tax breaks for education costs or student loan interest. Once again, those breaks ignore the number of kids you end up paying for.

I know a lot of people here will say it's my own fault for having more than the accepted 2.3 kids. On the other hand, why should all families have to look the same? Would you require people who don't want children to also raise the standard 2.3 children?

[bicentennial_baby]

5. That totally sucks. Education funding in this country is a sham...

x(

Good luck to you and your family. :pals:

[TooBigaTent]

3. The "family contribution" resulting from this form is ridiculous. We were supposed to dedicate

over 50% of our "gross" income to pay for our daughter's college. I guess we could have, as long as we gave up our house to foreclosure and didn't eat for four years.

The system totally screws those with middle (by their definition) incomes.

[laureloak]

6. I've never had that kind of EFC with FAFSA. Check for errors. nt

[bicentennial_baby]

7. Yes, it does. It's the one-size-fits all aspect of their form and calculations

Somedays I wish I was born in Europe. Ok, a lot of days.

[Selatius]

8. Read my post on how France does university education:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3866942&mesg_id=3867356

[Selatius]

4. That's because that student loan is then between you and the bank whose loan the gov't guaranteed.

For example, Stafford Subsidized loans simply means that while the student is in school, the gov't pays the interest on the principal while the student is still in class. (Basically, subsidizing private enterprise) Unsubsidized Staffords simply means that while the student is still in class, the student is responsible for both the interest and principal. In other words, when you get out of class, you are going to end up paying a bigger amount than you originally borrowed.

The Stafford program is simply where the government guarantees the private lender that in the case of default, the government will pay the lender for the loss. (Again, subsidizing private enterprise)

Personally, it would be easier to expand the Pell Grant program to cover all college students at 100 percent tuition costs. This way, the federal government dodges paying interest to private lenders, and it helps empower the economically disadvantaged in terms of attending university. The point is to provide economic opportunities, not saddle the less well-off with even more debt with--and this is important--NO GUARANTEE the particular student will land a job with sufficient pay to cover the debt obligations on top of the other obligations of living in the real world, such as taking out a mortgage, paying for a new car, health insurance, utility bills, auto insurance, gas, and food expenses.

[PA Democrat]

9. That form made me crazy.

I don't know how you can ever really fairly determine financial need. Since we are self-employed we pay for expenses that many employers cover but aren't included in the employees' W2.

The whole thing is a racket with banks getting a nice chunk of change that could be going toward actual education expenses. But just like health care, education is not a top priority for this country.

[LiberalEsto]

10. Agreed!

We're struggling to pay over $750 a month on our daughters' student loans, but that doesn't get taken into consideration when it comes to applying for tuition assistance. It is totally unfair.

[montanaliberaldem]

11. There is an appeal process in place at most colleges and universities.

Once you receive your initial award letter from the college, you can appeal the award on the basis of a more complete review of your finances. It may or may not change things, but the Financial Aid Office may also be able to suggest other sources of funding for your child's education. I certainly understand your situation as someone with 3 children currently in college. We have always insisted that they take the max in student loans and work to contribute as much as they could.

Another possibility is to have the older children request a deferment in repayment due to hardship or whatever is making it impossible for them to repay the loans themselves. They received the benefit of the education and should be vested in paying for it now that they are out of school. It is their responsibility after all.

[jmowreader]

12. That form was the real reason I joined the Army

I was going to go to the University of Idaho to study electronic engineering...and then I got a look at the FAFSA. "I am NOT going to ask my parents to fill this thing out! It's just too intrusive!"

At the time the fuckers even wanted to know how much change was stuck between the cushions on your couch.

A few days later the local Army recruiter showed up. His name was SSG Patrick Yasenak, and he was named the most productive recruiter of the year for three years running. His secret was to go after the best and the brightest, and tell them right up front how fucked up the Army is. And then he used his patented hook: "And now that I've told you why you don't want anything to do with the army, let me tell you why you do."