One more thing to be aware of for 2025-2026 FAFSA: they're now using information from your 2023 tax return (called prior-prior year). So you don't need to wait until you file 2024 taxes - you'll be using information you already filed. Also, with the simplified FAFSA, fewer assets are counted against you compared to previous years. The new Student Aid Index calculation is a bit more generous for middle-income families in many cases.

You all have been SO helpful! I'm going to make sure we start college apps this fall, submit CSS Profile in October for any private schools, and then FAFSA immediately when it opens in December. I'll mark January 15th as an important deadline to watch for those merit scholarships too. I feel much better prepared now. This timing question was really stressing me out!

My neice just went thru this!!! Have your granddaughter apply for nursing-specific scholarships RIGHT NOW. Her scool prolly has some but also check Johnson & johnson, Tylenol, AfFLAC, they ALL have nursing scholarshps. Also check with local hospitals somtimes they pay tuition if she agrees to work there after gradution!

I want to add one more important consideration: sometimes the financial aid packages at the more expensive school actually work out better in the long run, especially for specialized programs like nursing. Community colleges are excellent for many students, but direct-admit nursing programs often have better clinical placements, NCLEX pass rates, and job placement services. I'd recommend asking the financial aid office about these specific questions: 1. Are there second-year scholarships available once she's in the nursing program? 2. What's the NCLEX pass rate compared to alternative programs? 3. Do they have dedicated nursing scholarships not included in the initial package? 4. Can they provide statistics on job placement rates and starting salaries for their nursing graduates? Make your decision based on the full picture - sometimes the program with the higher upfront cost provides better long-term value, especially in healthcare fields.

my cousins best friend went to nyu for free with some scholarship thing and hes not even that smart lol. the whole system is just about who you know and having the right connections. my loans are even worse than yours and i dont even work in my field so at least you got that going for you

After reading through all the comments, I wanted to add one more thing: document EVERYTHING in your interaction with loan servicers. Keep records of all phone calls (date, time, who you spoke with), save all emails, and take screenshots of important account information. I've seen too many teachers get burned when servicers make mistakes in tracking qualifying PSLF payments or misapply payments. Having detailed records saved my colleague nearly $40K when she had to prove she had made qualifying payments that weren't being counted properly. And on a personal note - your frustration is completely justified. The system IS unfair. But please don't let that stop you from taking advantage of every program available to you now. The SAVE plan plus PSLF could potentially save you tens of thousands of dollars.

sofi wrkd good 4 us

I'd recommend contacting Purdue's financial aid office directly. They often have preferred lender lists with organizations they've vetted, and sometimes there are university-specific loan programs or emergency funds that aren't widely advertised. Additionally, since you're an Indiana resident, see if your student qualifies for any state-specific programs through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Also, be sure to complete the CSS Profile if Purdue uses it in addition to the FAFSA - it can sometimes unlock institutional aid that the FAFSA doesn't.

Current law student here again - just to clarify something important: There are NO Stafford Loans anymore for graduate students. The program was renamed years ago. What he qualifies for is: 1. Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500/year) 2. Grad PLUS Loans (up to the remaining cost of attendance) Both become available to apply for once the school processes his FAFSA and generates a financial aid package. Some schools do this earlier than others, but typically you can complete the process by early summer. The reason for the June timeline is probably related to the award year cycle. For environmental law specifically, look into the school's clinic options and summer funding for environmental internships. My school has specific grants for students working in that field.

To address your original question about it being "in his name only" - ALL graduate student federal loans are in the student's name only. Parents are not co-signers or responsible parties for Direct Unsubsidized or Grad PLUS loans. The only parent loan option is Parent PLUS, but that's for undergrads only. This is different from private loans, which often require co-signers for students with limited credit history. The federal route should give you exactly what you're looking for - full responsibility on your son without impacting your retirement plans.