Why does FAFSA EXIST?

Question

I though the whole point of FAFSA was to give full time college students free money for Schooling, Books, Food, Etc. But apparently I'm the only student in my entire school who lives off of financial Aid. If all college students work jobs anyway, why have financial aid?

Answer 1

Huh?

Amongst the many things that the US government does with the money that they raise in the form of taxes - they help families afford the high costs of higher education.

Congress makes these decisions - they figure out how much money is available to spend on crime enforcement, road building, social security, customs enforcement, the military, and a gazillion other things, and they create agencies and programs that are responsible for getting these things done.

I trust that you are aware that this is a limited amount of money to do all of these things with - that's why Congress spends most of its time working on a budget - trying to reach some sense of balance between the money that comes in (taxes) and the money that goes out (expenses). Any time Congress spends more than the amount that is coming in (which they do a LOT), they have to borrow to make up the difference, just like you and me.

Helping families send their children to college is one of the many things that Congress spends tax money on. They could spend 100 times as much, and there would still be people who would need more money for their education.

Keep something else in mind - it is not the government's responsibility to pay for education - at least not in our system of government. The primary responsibility for the cost of an education should be borne by the student and his family. The American taxpayers are there to HELP.

We get this question a lot here on Yahoo! Answers, "My parents won't give me any money for school. Will the government pay for it?"

In other words, those people and their parents want me and you and everyone else reading this to pay for their kid's education, because they don't want to. Yeah, right.

Financial aid is an assistance program - and you demonstrate your need for assistance by completing a FAFSA application, which tells the government about your financial circumstances. The US Department of Education reviews the information submitted on a FAFSA to make a determination of how much that student's family can be expected to contribute to the expense of a college education - then, financial aid offices TRY to assist with as much of the shortfall as they possibly can.

Keep in mind that the more educated the populace, the better jobs they qualify for, the more they can make, and the more efficient and productive the workforce will be. In time, fewer people will need fewer forms of government assistance, and we're all better off as a consequence. That's why Congress is willing to support higher education dreams with taxpayer dollars.

I hope this helped you understand the system a little better.

Answer 2

Financial Aid is just one way that college students get money.  Most college students have a pretty diverse financial situation.  Some of them have a full ride and their daddy's Maserati to cruise around campus, but the majority will take money wherever they can find it.  It doesn't matter whether it comes from a grant, scholarship, loan, or job but it is necessary for any independent college student to have financial options.  Fortunately Financial Aid is there to facilitate them in times of need.

Answer 3

Just because you make money doesn't mean that you can afford to pay for school.  Honestly, do you believe that a student who works 20 hours a week and makes minimum wage can afford school?  That would be a negative.  And besides the whole point of Financial Aid is to assist students with tuition.  Is has never been meant for students to live off of.  So you are wrong in that aspect. There are some students who really don't realize that.  If you receive enough fin aid to support yourself, then you are very lucky.  Because there are A LOT of students who are not able to.   And you shouldn't take that for granted by complaining about it! But then you are sucking yourself into debt, so I hope that you find a GOOD job after you graduate.

Answer 4

FASFA exist to support students who are willing to pursue a greater education. FA is for anyone job or jobless. It is based on income of how much you receive.