Fafsa forecaster ?

Vector,

These are the basic and expected tasks you need to do to get that invitation to visit campus. They are important, as most schools that we dealt with required it before going to the next step in the process.

The West coast D1 may be out of athletic aid, and they are pursuing academic aid as an alternative to get your son to their school. If it is a school he is interested in, then I'd give them what they need. IMHO, I wouldn't care the source of the money as long as it is reducing my net amount....you can call it "lunch money" or whatever you want to call it, but if it reduces my overall burden by several thousand dollars, I'd be very cool with it.

I would follow up with these schools immediately, so hopefully he can visit during Spring or Easter break from high school.

quote:

Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
Vector,

These are the basic and expected tasks you need to do to get that invitation to visit campus. They are important, as most schools that we dealt with required it before going to the next step in the process.

Well this is an example of something I was not aware of. I did the clearinghouse, got copies of his transcripts, etc., but this was one thing never mentioned to me by a coach or anyone else for that matter.

As to where the financial aid comes from, that makes no difference to me. It could be because he is tall with blue eyes for all I care. I'm not going to get hung up on the athletic scholarship money like some parents, since I do know that there is more academic money out there anyway.

In fact, I'd much rather my son got academic $. That's a guaranteed four year scholly whereas baseball is only year to year. So many people don't realize that a baseball scholarship is NOT a four year award. You have to earn it every Spring.

quote:

Originally posted by sandlotmom:
In fact, I'd much rather my son got academic $. That's a guaranteed four year scholly whereas baseball is only year to year. So many people don't realize that a baseball scholarship is NOT a four year award. You have to earn it every Spring.

I agree with Sandlot mom for the most part. But guarantees can have fine print and strings attached.

FYI, at most colleges the academic scholly $ needs to be earned each year as well, usually with a min GPA benchmark. Sometimes that bench mark can be fairy high; sometimes it is just 'good academic standing.'

This can sometimes be hard to maintain while playing a sport and adjusting to college. Just sayin'....be sure our sons know the academic standards can be tough too.

My son is a Freshman in JC and was contacted by a DII Ca. school that said they would like him but upfront he says they have no academic monies at the school or baseball scholarships. That it's completely based on our FASFA alone. Out of state is approx 50K per year. Does FASFA cover that much?

quote:

Out of state is approx 50K per year. Does FASFA cover that much?

Azallan,

FAFSA is not a scholarship. FAFSA is a federal form, and the primary application for federal and general state aid. It determines your son's eligibility for federal and state grants, and arrange for delivery of these funds. It is required by all collges that administer federal and state aid. You refile for FAFSA every year. ww.fafsa.ed.gov

The schools look at your FAFSA data and then make their financial aid decisions from there. Private schools have more flexibility, but it is highly unlikely they will cover $50K if that answers your question.

The most important thing that the FAFSA produces is an EFC or Expected Family Contribution. The financial aid provided is usually a percentage of that amount at most schools and often times includes loans and work study jobs. Some schools do a better job with financial aid then others. Below is a link showing colleges that have pledged to eliminated loans from their financial aid packages. As well, each schools individual pledge is shown here.

http://www.projectonstudentdeb...g/pc_institution.php

Thanks Fenway!

quote:

Originally posted by birdman14:
The most important thing that the FAFSA produces is an EFC or Expected Family Contribution. The financial aid provided is usually a percentage of that amount at most schools and often times includes loans and work study jobs. Some schools do a better job with financial aid then others. Below is a link showing colleges that have pledged to eliminated loans from their financial aid packages. As well, each schools individual pledge is shown here.

If the student does not want to take a loan(only wants aid not to be repaid) how does the forecaster help when a school might be basing their package on figures not acceptable to the family?

quote:

Originally posted by Vector:
If the student does not want to take a loan(only wants aid not to be repaid) how does the forecaster help when a school might be basing their package on figures not acceptable to the family?

Exactly my point. It depends on the school and it's policies concerning FA.

Silly question maybe but will ask.....Having not done the FAFSA yet can I assume it deals directly with how much your taxable income is and that it does not take in to account if you are terribly in debt, is that a general understanding? LOL

quote:

Silly question maybe but will ask.....Having not done the FAFSA yet can I assume it deals directly with how much your taxable income is and that it does not take in to account if you are terribly in debt, is that a general understanding? LOL

Eric G,

You are in for a treat! Yes, they don't much care for your overall expenses or how much in debt you are....this is after all the Federal Gov't. If you find a way to get your Mercedes E-class lease to go in your favor on FAFSA, I will want to party with you!

I don't think they care about debt but they do take into account yours and your son's savings and any business interests that you own. Also how many children you have that still need to go through college. I'm sure a number of schools have calculators on line but I know that Amherst has one. They say it is just a guideline but it gives you an idea. As for why they want you to do it, they want to use as little scholarship money as possible. My son was recruited by a private Big XII school and one of the big reasons was he was eligible for an academic full ride. He chose to go the route of $50k a year school. Oh well.