[Ohiogift] FAFSA application period is now open

[Anne Flick]

To expand on the FAFSA information:
Students who will have *matriculated* in college *should* file the FAFSA.  Students who will take college classes through College Credit Plus or otherwise for dual enrollment SHOULD NOT FILE A FAFSA.  

Everyone who has matriculated, seeking a degree, *should* file a FAFSA, but it is not required.  *Some* colleges use the FAFSA to determine need-based aid.  Many private colleges require the Profile to determine need-based aid: https://profileonline.collegeboard.org/prf/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv  Families planning to pay full sticker price have no need to complete the FAFSA or Profile.

*Some* colleges require annual application for need-based aid via the FAFSA--and the Profile, if they are Profile schools--in order to receive certain merit scholarships.  It's not that the results of the FAFSA or Profile are considered in awarding the merit scholarship; most institutions just want to ensure the student has exhausted all sources of need-based aid before tapping into their merit aid funds.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  Its primary purpose is to determine which students are needy enough to be awarded federal grants and federally subsidized loans.  Many colleges do, indeed, use FAFSA results to award their need-based aid, but most colleges practice gapping, even with Profile results.   Some wealthy families balk at completing the FAFSA and Profile, certain that they will not qualify for need-based aid.  However, the formulas for ascertaining need, especially for the Profile, may take into account factors families may not have considered.  Most college finances experts insist that every family apply, as families may be surprised to discover that they do, indeed qualify for some aid.  

Anne


      
   
Friends and colleagues:

A reminder: Oct. 1 saw the start of the new "application season" for students who are seeking financial aid by way of FAFSA.

The date is good news for those who need more time, as it is now three months before the previous beginning of the period when students and their families could apply for FAFSA financial aid.

Students who are contemplating college must file the FAFSA form each year, as states and colleges use the information to determine grants, scholarships, and loans, as well as the amounts each family is expected to be able to contribute.

FAFSA information is here:
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

Good luck to all in the gifted community who can benefit from financial help.

(Ms.) Terry Adams

   
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.osu.edu/pipermail/ohiogift/attachments/20161002/f2cb8608/attachment.html>