One of the schools that I am interested in wants me to fill out the fafsa before I even apply.  I am confused because I thought you applied to schools and then when you get accepted you fill out the fafsa.  That way you can see what kind of aid you will get for each school.  This admissions advisor is really pressuring me to fill it out.  She said that way we can see how much money I will get.  This seems kind of wrong to me.  I did not even get my PIN yet, but she said I don't need it.  She also told me that she is not allowed to be on the phone with me while I fill it out, but is trying to set up a time when I can fill it out with her.  I have also applied to another school and I am waiting to hear from them.  So I do not know what to do.  Is this normal for them to ask you to fill it out before applying.

 Jenn

You can fill out a FAFSA before you've been admitted to a school, but you certainly don't have to do so.  The fact that this school wants to see what your financial aid eligibility is before they deal with you is an absolutely terrible sign of how you'll be treated after you've been admitted there.  It's a good thing for you that you're already looking elsewhere.

-=Steve=- 

Hmmm ... as far as I know, there's nothing wrong with filling out the FAFSA before applying. No one likes a pushy counselor or advisor - that's for sure. But I don't think this is particularly nefarious ...

Let me guess...the school is a for-profit online school and not a state university?  Basically, they want you to fill out the FAFSA ahead to time to see if you will be able to afford the program in which you want to enroll.  I agree with Helen...it's not necessarily evil, but for-profit schools are definitely a business, and they are run as such.

 If you are not happy with the customer service at this school, simply move on.  There are plenty of others from which to choose.

 

 

 

The three online schools I applied to were the same way.  I took it as the person I was talking to was a sales person, they could answer basic questions about the school but not about the programs themselfs and refered me to an online tutorial to answer my questions.  They asked me to get my pin and call them back and we could go to the next step. 

 From the experience I have read about on this site once you get past the sales the school experience itself it wonderful, so hang in there.

Terry, that was my first thought as well: it sounds like a for-profit school.  Sounds like Jenni's advisor is trying to hit a quota...and filling out financial aid info is considered a good indicator as to whether she'll enroll. 

Jenni, if you are still interested in this school, put the advisor on the spot.  Ask her if  filling it out will expedite any potential grants or money the school will give you.  It won't because they don't give any financial assistance??  That's reason number one they don't need it today.

Now ask her if you give her the info today, when will you get your aid package.  Is it well before you plan to enroll?  Is it after you plan to enroll?  If either answer is "yes", that's reason number two they don't need it today.

Then ask her if you can get admitted without filling out the FAFSA.  If she says yes you can get admitted, that's reason number three they don't need it today.  Tell her it's your preference to wait until enrolled.  If she refuses to give you an answer, let her know that you're not having this trouble with any of the other schools where you're applied.  And be firm in saying that you don't like to give out private information about yourself except when necessary.  Although in my opinion, if you can't get a straight answer today...how confident that you'll get straight answers while you attend?