Here is a picture of what FAFSA directs me to if I click on "Review and Print your SAR"\n\nhttp://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sar4vr.jpg\n\nIs this it? Is this what I print and bring to my school?
214820
All you should have to do is file the FAFSA and include your school's "school code" on it; once you do that, they can get the results themselves.  Did they ASK you for a printout?  \n\nI tend to be wary of Financial Aid Offices that require their students to bring them paper copies of their FAFSA results. Your school should have a computer system that allows them to download your FAFSA results directly (see the link below for the rules on "Administrative Capability").  Moreover, a good school will want to see more than just your EFC -- there is a lot more to your FAFSA results than that. \n\nIt seems that you've done everything right; just make sure your school is doing the same.
236352
No, but I read hundreds every year.\n\nOf all the appeals your Financial Aid Office will receive, they are most likely to approve the ones that fall into one of the following categories:\n\n* job/income loss\n* medical expenses not covered by insurance\n* loss of primary home\n\nYou may, of course, submit an appeal for any reason (it's always worth a try), but here are a few things to keep in mind:\n\n* If you are appealing based on your cost of living, don't expect much flexibility: the EFC formula has already "sheltered" a certain amount of your disposable income to allow you to cover the "bare necessities" (this is known as the "asset/income protection allowance"). Quite simply, your FA office isn't supposed to include many more costs than the ones already allowed for.  Regulations have made it clear that we are not supposed to consider expenses such as credit card costs, utility bills, tithing, etc. A good rule of thumb: if not everyone needs it, it probably can't be considered a "necessity" for you.\n\n* Any appeal that you write should offer *new* information to the Financial Aid Office.  Remember that the FAO has already looked at your FAFSA results and know what your income/assets were for the previous tax year.  If nothing has changed, then you will probably need to appeal based on something else.  If there HAVE been changes (mid-year job loss, death of a parent, the birth of a child/sibling, etc), then definitely let the FAO know.\n\n* Watch the tone of your letter. Obviously, in any interview and with any application, it is important to set yourself apart from other applicants -- but don't make assumptions or judgements about other students (like "My friend makes a lot more money than I do and you gave him more Financial Aid!").  Know enough to know that there are things you don't know (about other students and about the process).\n\nObviously, the procedures for appealing scholarship decisions vary by school. Some scholarships are based on merit/academic performance while others are based on financial need. Before you write your appeal, make sure that you know the selection criteria for the scholarship for which you are applying, and focus on those areas.
336006
Unfortunately, the process won't be as simple as, say, fixing an error in your credit report (where the burden of proof is on the creditor), but it is doable.\n\nThe information about your loan history that appears on the SAR comes from NSLDS, the National Student Loan Data System.  The easiest way to get NSLDS data updated is to have your school do it.  You will probably need to provide them with documentation that your default has been resolved -- usually this means obtaining written communication from the lender or collection agency with whom you worked while your wages were being garnished.  Even if NSLDS isn't updated, your school can still give you Federal Student Aid (with the proper documentation), but you should do what you can to get it updated so that this won't happen annually.
244530
Most schools have a process whereby you can appeal your financial aid award. Obviously, these procedures vary by school: some schools only offer need-based scholarships, so your appeal at those school should reflect that;\nother schools may prefer an appeal outlining your academic qualities.  As such, make sure that you know the selection criteria for the scholarship for which you are applying, and focus on those areas.\n\nKeep in mind that your Financial Aid administrator has received hundreds -- if not thousands -- of appeals over the course of his or her career; he or she has heard nearly every story you can conjure. With the exception of a few schools, there is usually never enough money to go around and while most Financial Aid Officers would love to grant every legitimate appeal, they often simply can't.\n\nWith this in mind, start your letter by briefly explaining who you are and what you do (your major, year in school, etc.). Then specifically state why you are writing (that you are appealing a scholarship decision, etc.).\n\nThe remainder of the letter should detail your reasons for appealing. This will be the most important section and yet the most difficult to write. Above all, BE HONEST. Describe your situation in detail; quantify. For example, if you are a starving college student, don't simply say that. Let the addressee know how much money you have to contribute to your education, what strains there are on your finances, etc. Think about the information you provided on your FAFSA, your CSS Profile, or your school's institutional Financial Aid application. Is there additional information that you want your school to know about your finances. Perhaps the 2005 tax information on your FAFSA does not reflect dramatic changes that will occur in 2006. If so, describe the changes you anticipate (a parent's job loss, the birth of a child/sibling etc.).\n\nWhen you have written down your circumstances, look them over and ask yourself whether these circumstances are unique or if they could apply to numerous other students. If your appeal is too general, it is less likely to be approved. \n\nWatch the tone of your letter. While in any interview and with any application it is important to set yourself apart from other applicants, do not make assumptions or judgements about other applicants/students. If you feel you are a deserving scholarship applicant, you probably are. Be confident and proceed with the letter -- but know that there are bound to be other deserving applicants out there.\n\nOne final thing: Make sure that you have covered all your bases. If a Financial Aid office receives a heartfelt, compelling letter from a student but then looks in the student's file only to find that she/he hasn't filed a FAFSA (or has another incomplete application), that office may end up asking "Why we should go to such great lengths to help a student who isn't willing to help him/herself."\n\nOnce you have done all you can to obtain additional institutional and federal (and maybe state) aid from your Financial Aid Office, it's probably time to look for outside scholarship awards.  Peruse the many search engines online to see if you sound like a candidate for any private (or "outside") scholarship funding.  Try these sites: \n\n* http://www.fastweb.com/\n* http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp\n* http://www.scholarships101.com/\n* http://www.srnexpress.com/\n* http://www.scholarships.com/\n* http://services.princetonreview.com/default.asp?RUN=%2Fcollege%2Ffinance%2Fscholar%2FscholInterview%2Easp&RCN=auth&RDN=7&ALD=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eprincetonreview%2Ecom\n* http://www.finaid.org/scholarships\n* http://www.collegeanswer.com/paying/content/pay_free_money.jsp\n\nBut make sure that you also check your local library, your high school, the school you plan on attending, and any organizations/clubs/churches to which you belong.
130636
Hi, RecoverySue:\n\nFirst, your credit report is NOT the best indicator.  Don't rely on that.  Sometimes, it takes months or even years (if ever!) before a creditor reports to a credit agency.  If they don't report on a regular basis, you could still owe money and be delinquent, and never know!\n\nHopefully, you still have your loan paperwork.  If so, contact the phone number listed ASAP.  In general, I've had good experiences with student loan companies, however, they have hundreds of thousands (millions?) of accounts so don't rely on them to follow up with you.\n\nIf you don't have your loan paperwork, contact your college for the contact information for the loan company.  They should have it.\n\nIn general, the guideline is this:  If you dropped out of school DURING the allowable time and you were entitled to a refund of your tuition, then that tuition money should've been credited back to the financial aid office.  However, if you dropped out AFTER the deadline and you can't get any refund, then you may be (and probably are) still responsible for 100% of the tuition that was loaned to you.\n\nWhatever you do, don't delay in finding out.  The longer you wait, the harder it is to get copies of medical records and other information that may help strengthen your case.  Also, if you need to be put into a repayment plan, you need to know that ASAP before your loan goes into default (which results in higher interest payments, nasty letters, etc.).\n\nI've attached the link below to the FSA/US DOE Web site, which may help you, if all other attempts to contact the school and reference your loan paperwork fail.\n\nGood luck!
207017
[You say you live in New Orleans and had to make office repairs, so my response below assumes that you were affected by the Hurricanes this past year.]\n\nYour FAFSA results are likely going to reflect your mother's income (a) before she made the necessary repairs to her office and (b) before your friends, um, sabotaged her financial security and your academic future.\n\nSchools are keenly aware of the effect that Katrina/Rita had on families in your area.  They understand that the losses that occurred during that time aren't going to be reflected on your 2005 tax returns (which is what you must refer to when filing the FAFSA), making most LA residents look more wealthy than they have become.  When you have applied for Financial Aid -- or while you are doing so -- write the school's Financial Aid Office a letter detailing both your past and your current financial circumstances. If your mother's savings have been depleted, say by how much. If her income has decreased dramatically, say that too (and quantify). The more information a Financial Aid Office has, the more equipped they are to increase your aid or grant an appeal for scholarship.\n\nThere are now a bunch of scholarships out there for students who were affected by the hurricanes.  A simple Yahoo! search for "hurricane katrina scholarship" yielded several legitimate ones when I checked.  Try www.fastweb.com, www.scholarship101.com, or check your high school (I recommend the library as well, but I don't know if there would be any books recent enough to list those specific kinds of scholarships... check the library anyway for other kinds, though).  You might want to get your FAFSA issue resolved first in the event that a scholarship organzation wants the results....
669943
It is sometimes (but not always) possible to use federal student aid funds (including Pell) to purchase a laptop.  Basically, your school will establishes "Cost of Attendance" (COA) for each of its students. That COA can include tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, transportation, and...\n\n"a reasonable amount... for the documented rental or purchase of a personal computer that the student will use for study for the enrollment period." \n\nHowever, your school gets to decide whether to add this cost to your COA.  Then, if the amount of financial aid that you receive is in excess of what you owe to the school, you can use the remainder as you see fit.  \n\nThe problem you may encounter is that, because your school is online, they may not have much IN their cost of attendance besides tuition (probably not housing and transportation) and maybe books... You will probably need to specifically request that they add this cost to your COA (also called a "budget"). And if they don't want to, well, that's their prerogative.\n\nThis COA rule applied to student loans as well. Basically, you can't receive any type of financial aid in excess of your COA unless your school "okays" it. The only exception to this might be a private loan that the school doesn't know about (and most private lenders will require school certification for their loans).
75161
OMG, you need to finx this ASAP......\nYou need to call FAFSA and change his First College choice to the one he desided on!!!!\nI can not emphasize enough on how fast you need to get this done!! The number to FAFSA 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243), you will need his SS# and the correct name and spelling of the college. As soon as you call FAfsa, call the school he chose to go to! \nAfter that you should receive a roport in the mail called " \nHIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS" \n\nWhere it states the Eligibility make SURe the first school listed is the one he wants to go to!\nDon't make the mistake that I did and think that they will change it just cause you called, stay on top of it! My son lost $1862.00 because they never changed it when I called! Get names and numbers!\nSure hop that helps!\nGood luck and best wishes for you son!
337902
you need to have your son contact his financial aid office.  grants generally do not have to be paid back, but depending on the grant (where it is from) your sons gpa/and courses attemped vs. courses passed may prove to be a problem.\n\nbecause of the family rights and privacy act... that isnt something that you could find out.  your son has to either sign a privacy wavier or do his own research.\n\ngood luck
588544
Your FAFSA basically *was* your application fro federal student loans.\n\nYour school will use your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for Federal Student Aid, including federal grants and loans.  Almost every FSA applicant is eligible for some type of Stafford loan funding: your school will inform you via letter or email (sometimes a dedicated student financial aid "portal" on their website) of your eligibility (loan type, amount, and whether the interest on loan will be federally subsidized). They will also let you know if you are eligible for a Perkins Loan and/or any grant funding from the federal government, state, or the school itself.\n\nIf you filed the FAFSA a while ago and have not yet heard from your school, give them a call to make sure they arent missing anything else from you.  \n\nOnce you received notice from them of what you have been awarded, you will need to complete a Master Promissory Note in which you agree to the terms of the loan and provide reference information.  In some cases, your school will require you to select a lender.  If you have not done so before, you will also required to complete "Entrance Counseling" (more paperwork, essentially).
127290
Some parents misunderstand the process and think that filling out the form means that they are agreeing to pay for their student's schooling.  Try explaining to your parents that by filing the FAFSA you're trying to fund your education by *yourself* (they should see that as a good thing) and that, by providing their information on the form, they are NOT on the hook for anything.  The loans that would be awarded to you based on this form would be YOUR responsibility and ONLY yours, so this should be a no-risk scenario for them.  \n\nIf they don't listen to reason and you can't think of any other way of getting them to sign the form, you may be out of luck: The Federal Student Aid regulations specifically say that a parent's refusal to pay is NOT grounds for a student being claimed as independent.  You may, however, be able to talk to your Financial Aid Office to see what other means they have for considering you independent so that you wouldn't have to include their information on the form.  Some schools are more lenient than others in this regard. Most schools will make exceptions in cases of abuse or the death of the students' parents. Many schools will also make exceptions if you can document that you truly are completely self-suffient. You will need to submit proof that the following statements have been true of your situation for a while (usually about 2 years)... \n\n* your parents don't claim you on their tax return\n* you pay for your own housing, food, utilities, etc.\n* you pay for your own health insurance\n* you pay for your own transportation (and, if you have a car, the car insurance)\n* you don't receive any other in-kind support\n\nIt's still worth checking to see if the schools allows dependency overrides for other reasons.  You'll never know if you don't ask.
582956
OH awesome! this is my kinda ?, I work in a Financial Aid office. Well there are three types of Boggs A,B,C.\n\nIt is not really considered a type of financial aid but in the instance of a Bogg C it is. You recieve a Bogg A by bringing in proof that you or your legal guardian recieve some kind of benefits from the Federal Government (TANF, Welfare, SSI/SSP). Bogg B you get by being awarded by your income. Bascially there is an income limit for the amount of people in your household, if your under that limit you are eligible. But wether the household is your parents' or your's depends on a few matters:\n\nAsk your self these ?'s:\n\nAre you 24 or older?\nAre you married?\nDo you have children?\nAre you a ward o the court, or an orphan?\nAre you a US veteran?\n\nIf you say yes to any of these questions you are a independent. If not then ask yourself these ?'s:\n\nDo you live with your parents?\nDo your parents claim you on their 2005 tazx return?\n\nIf you say NO to both those ?'s then you are also independent. But if you said no to the entire first set and yes to either of the second set of ?'s then you are dependent and the household size is based on your parents houshold, and the income based on your guardians' 2005 income. If you are indepenedent it is based on your household size, and your 2005 income.\n\nFinally the Bogg C is your last resort. If you do not qualify for an A or B, then you apply for the C. Unfortunately it takes longer. You have to actually file a 2006-2007 school year FAFSA (can do this at FAFSA.ed.gov website, there is also a paper form but online is faster) and let it process until you get you Student Aid report, or SAR. This can take about 3 to 4 weeks. Can be faster if done online. The SAR basically is your receit (4 page blue letter), it lets you know everything you put on your FAFSA. Also the most important part is your EFC (estimated family contribution) number that is processed and is on the top right hand corner of the first page of your SAR. If this number is under a certain amount (amounts are different wether your independent or dependent) then you are eligible for the Bogg C. Also you may want to check what other programs you are eligible for once you have submitted your Bogg C, EOP&S, New Horizons, etc. Also getting yourself a Bogg C may exclude you from other programs. Also you want to call the school that your attendings financial aid office and see if they want you to bring in your SAR. In the office I work in, we take a photocopy of the SAR portion that has your EFC # on it as proof with your Bogg application, and most likely so does your school, you don't want to make two trips so bring it with you incase they want it even if they say they dont, the people who answer the phone in our office aren't all that bright.\n\nGood luck on getting free classes~
124258
When I studied abroad in England we had a blind system.  We were not allowed to put our name on them.  There was a little kiosk where you scanned your I.D. and the course I.D. and it printed 2 little receipts.  One got stapled to the paper you were handing in and you kept the other (as proof you turned in the assignment).  Then the papers got dropped off at a central office where they were sorted and given to the professors.  Grades were finalized before they handed them back in class.
353791
I would ask the school exactly what they mean.  I know it is a lot of paperwork, but if it means money you do not have to pay back when you complete school--it is worth it.
325882
FAFSA will help you with your school expenses based on your income criteria and other information you provide for them.  FAFSA is an organization which is managed by the Dept. of Education.  You can apply for loans, grants, scholarships, and more.  Whatever your educational needs are, they will be happy to assist you.\n\nYou will be prompted to an application online, where you tell FAFSA what you want.  Included in the application you will report both your husband's and your income, so have your W-2 tax forms ready, and other sources of income.  You will also have a line where you state which school you wish to attend and for which semester.  \n\nEverything will be on the form, and it is easy to fill out.  The system will allow you to correct any mistakes, so don't worry if you think you made a mistake.  Do it to the best of your knowledge, accurately.  If you lie in any part, your application will be denied.  \n\nAt the begining, you will be prompted to choose your login ID and pin number, which later on, you will receive that number in the mail, so DO NOT lose it, FAFSA will NOT have record of it.  Keep it safe, as if you would with your bank ATM pin digits.  \n\nYou should expect to hear from the up to two weeks after you have submitted your application.  It is important, however, that you print out your filled out application, for your records.  Once your application is processed, the school for which you applied financial aid for, will send you a letter stating that they've received your FAFSA application, and may ask you for a few other things before you are approved.  Once you're approved, you're in.\n\nI wish you the very best.
539538
Three questions:\n1) If you drop the class will you fall below the required number of credits to keep your financial aid in future years?\n2) If you retake the class will they drop your C out of your GPA (some schools do it one time for each class)\n3) Is there a limit on the number of withdrawals you are allowed to have?\n\n\nOnce you answer these questions, it will be easier to decide.
595929
Yes, you can fill out a FAFSA before being accepted into a school.  However, you do need to at least know which schools you will be considering when you file.  \n\nThe FAFSA results will not tell you exactly how much you will qualify for because that is up to the school you plan to attend.  But the FAFSA result, EFC, does tell you how much the US Dept of Ed feels you can afford to pay yourself for school.  The school then will try to come up with the difference between their cost and your EFC to help you afford school.