It is a daunting task to analyze, interpret, and implement federal financial aid regulations these days. Hopefully the information I provide will help you understand and locate the financial aid you need to earn your online degree.
It's almost time! The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet should be available late-November, early-December. It's hard to believe that it's been almost 10 years since ringing in the new millenium and worrying about Y2K computer problems. What's worse, in 2000 I was 16 years into financial aid and some of you were in junior high!
Anyway, there are some new changes to the FAFSA for 2009-10, which will hopefully make the process of completing the form less painful. In this post, I'll address the new options for being independent.
Independent status: (criteria will be explained in the FAFSA instructions)
- Added to the Orphan/Ward of the Court statement is Foster Care age 13 or older. If you were in foster care at age 13, you answer yes to this question. Ward of the Court is age 13 years or older as well. Schools will probably request court documents to verify.
- Emancipated Minor-if you were legally emancipated before your state's cut-off, you will answer yes. For example, my state's legal age is 18, so a student would have to be legally emancipated by that age.
- Legal Guardianship-if you had a legal guardian at age 13, you will answer yes.
- Homeless Unaccompanied Youths-if you were determined to be homeless, you will answer yes. Documentation of this status will be determined by appropriate state agencies.
- Youths At Risk of Homelessness-the same applies, with an appropriate state agency verifying your status.
I'm not sure what state agency will be verifying homelessness. I did a search for my state and couldn't come up with any designated agency. I'm sure more guidance will be provided to schools.
There is a new option for students to complete the FAFSA on the Web even if they can’t answer yes to one of the independent questions but are unable to get parent information. Before filing, I highly recommend that you contact your financial aid office if this applies to you. Depending on your circumstance, you may be able to appeal as an independent student to receive more aid.
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About ter
I have been a financial aid advisor for nearly 25 years now! Time really does fly. Like other e-learners, I acquired my Bachelor of Arts degree and my Master of Science degree while working full time and raising a family. My coursework consisted of classroom instruction, online and independent study courses, and weekend classes.
I began in financial aid as a secretary, and have worked my way to senior level financial aid advisor at a public four year college in the Midwest. When I began in 1984, we did not have computers, so I have seen the evolution of technology and its impact on education and financial aid.
My husband and I have four children in our household. My daughter and stepson are both in college. My son and stepdaughter are high school freshman.
I look forward to being a part of eLearners.com and given the chance to educate students, especially “non-traditional” students, on the ins-and-outs of financial aid. It is a daunting task to analyze, interpret, and implement federal financial aid regulations these days. Hopefully the information I provide will help.