FAFSA Completion Required for Online College - How Will This Affect Financial Aid?

Thanks for responding! Do you know if the Pell Grant amount is the same for online students? And how do I check if a school is actually accredited and not some scam?

This is so helpful, thank you! One more question - do you know if the work-study program is available for online students? I was hoping to get some of that to reduce my loan amount.

Federal Work-Study is technically available for online students, but it's more complicated. Since work-study jobs are typically on-campus positions, online schools might offer fewer opportunities or have arrangements with local employers. When you get your aid offer, contact the financial aid office directly about work-study options for remote students. Some schools have virtual work-study positions now.

While I understand your frustration, I think it's important to distinguish between different types of online colleges. The schools the original poster mentioned (SNHU and WGU) are non-profit institutions with different funding models than for-profit schools like University of Phoenix. They often have more reasonable tuition rates and better track records with student outcomes and financial aid distribution. Your SAI (Student Aid Index) calculation should yield the same Pell Grant eligibility regardless of the school, but the overall aid package will vary by institution. Community college is certainly a cost-effective option worth considering, though.

That's great to hear about your experience! How hard was it to fill out the FAFSA for SNHU? Did they need any special documentation because it's an online program?

Nope, nothing special for the FAFSA - just enter the school code like any other college. But I will say the verification process was a pain. They selected my application for verification twice and I had to submit extra tax documents. Took forever to get an actual person on the phone at Federal Student Aid to explain what was happening with my application.

i had the same issue with the weird disbursement timing! i got so confused bc i thought my aid was missing but it was just coming at different times than what i expected

I'm not sure if I qualify for the Pell Grant. My parents make about $65k combined, but I have two siblings in college already. Does that affect my chances of getting the grant?

Yes, having multiple family members in college at the same time is a factor in your SAI calculation. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, they've removed the sibling discount that used to automatically divide the family contribution, but they do still consider your family size and number in college. With a family income of $65k and multiple students, you may qualify for at least partial Pell Grant funding, but it's best to complete the FAFSA to know for certain.

What about the FAFSA changes?? I heard they made it "easier" but really they're just GIVING LESS MONEY TO STUDENTS and helping rich kids more!!!

The FAFSA Simplification Act did make significant changes to the formula. While the form is shorter, some families may receive less aid because of the removal of certain benefits like the multiple student discount. However, other changes like increasing the income protection allowance will benefit many low-income students. It's not as simple as saying everyone gets less - it really depends on each family's specific financial situation. I'd encourage everyone to use the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool to get a preliminary idea of their aid eligibility under the new formula.

Congrats on finishing your degree! Did you find the accelerated terms made it harder to keep up with classwork? I'm trying to decide between standard semesters and accelerated terms.

thx! accelerated terms were actually better for me bc i could focus on just 2 classes at once instead of 4-5. but they are INTENSE - like a full semester crammed into 8 weeks. if u work full time it can be rough. just stay on top of financial aid deadlines bc the terms don't line up with traditional fafsa cycles!

Great question! From what I've seen, most accredited online schools do offer emergency aid and hardship grants to their distance learners, just like traditional students. During COVID, many schools expanded these programs and a lot of them kept the improvements even after things went back to normal. I'd recommend checking directly with the financial aid offices at SNHU and WGU - they usually have emergency loan programs, technology grants for students who need laptops/internet access, and sometimes even food assistance programs. The key is that you have to be enrolled and in good academic standing to qualify for most of these programs.

This is really good advice about the net price calculators! I didn't even know those existed. Quick question - when you mention state grants for online schools, do you know if that applies to students who are residents of one state but attending an online school based in another state? Like if I'm in Texas but go to SNHU which is in New Hampshire, would I potentially qualify for grants from either state or just Texas?