Is October too late to apply for FAFSA?

Question

I am planning on going back to school on January 2009 and I want to fill out the FAFSA as an independent. However, I cant apply as an independent until October after I have my baby. Is this too late to turn in the form to get any aid by January?

Answer 1

Everyone who already answered here is correct. However, just know that financial aid does run out. This is the reason that so many people jump the gun on January 1st for the fall semester.

Answer 2

Good news - potentially - if the baby is due during the academic period for which you want to apply for financial aid, you can already qualify as an independent student.

However - here's the all important test.

You do not qualify as an independent student just because you have a child.

In order to qualify as an independent student, you, PERSONALLY, must provide greater than 50 percent of the financial support for that child.

That means that you must have sufficient income or assets for the Department of Education to believe that you are doing so. If you fill out the FAFSA and say "I don't work, and I have no assets, but I provide more than 50 percent of the support for my child", they're not going to buy it.

If your boyfriend provides more than 50 percent of the support, that makes him an independent, but not you.

If your parents provide more than 50 percent of the support, you're still a dependent student.

It's not that you have a dependent that makes you independent - it's that you, personally, are paying the bills. If you can't do that, then unfortunately, you're still a dependent student for federal financial aid purposes, and you will remain a dependent student until you can either provide more than 50 percent of your child's support, until you get married, or until you turn 23.

I hope that news was good for you. (fingers crossed)

As for whether you can turn in the FAFSA in October? You can turn in the FAFSA until June 30, 2009 for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Answer 3

You should be just fine.  Double-check with your school to be sure.