My classes start in exactly three weeks.
Guess what I forgot to do last semester? Go on. Guess.
I forgot to file a FAFSA.
For those of you who have not only recently been in college, that's the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If I want to get the student loan that not only pays my tuition but helps subsidize my part-time salary, I have to have one of these on file.
And I apparently decided it wasn't important enough to bother remembering.
I can't find my damn W-2s.
I hate not being independently wealthy.
I've done it during the first week of class before. You have to find the money for at least the first tuition payment, but you should be able to get loan money within a month of filing. Believe me, you're not the only person out there who's forgotten to file.
Posted by: Jessie at August 9, 2005 08:12 AM
Oh, Beth, I feel your pain. That FAFSA was the bane of my existence when I was in school. GRRR.
I think it was a subconscious attempt to avoid the horror that is that stupid form. Blech.
Posted by: halloweenlover at August 9, 2005 10:47 AM
Don't worry. In my experience, most colleges and universities are willing to accommodate laziness if it means they'll make more money in the end. They'll just do a lot of grumbling.
Posted by: Frema at August 9, 2005 12:16 PM
If you filed your taxes online and remember your password and login, all that information should be available and printable. Just an idea i thought i would shoot your way. Good luck.
Posted by: Josue at August 10, 2005 12:41 PM
also a side note. when you you are picking out your lenders for any loans you decide to take out just know that various lenders are offering stafford loans without the 3% origination fee. Also know that because lenders are also businesses they will find other ways to try to recover that money but still look like they are offering you a deal. I know that probably wasn't helpful, but thought it was information worth considering.
Posted by: Josue at August 10, 2005 12:46 PM
Well played Bethy, well played! It's a good thing that they don't give a Pass/No Pass rating on filing financial docs...could ruin your 4.0! HA!
Posted by: Naomi at August 10, 2005 10:24 PM
AAAAAAAH! Not the FAFSA!! Is the very bain of my existance! I cannot believe they have not done away with this archaic form...they really ought to just have you give up a vital organ...
Posted by: andi at August 11, 2005 04:22 PM
Ah, the FAFSA. I had forgotten about those. I worked in the financial aid office at the University of Kansas and good god, did I hate those things by the end of the year.
You should be okay, though - unless the rules have changed, we received them throughout the year. Just remember to be nice to whoever you work with in your financial aid office - they CAN be your friend.
Posted by: Cagey at August 12, 2005 10:39 AM
Ouch! You should just guess and turn it in, then you can fix things on the SAR report. If they ask claim dumb about the whole financial aide process, it works for me!
Posted by: Sarah at August 8, 2005 09:39 PM