Does the FAFSA Really Do What It’s Supposed To?
The government does put forth an effort to help those in need of financial assistance to further their educational background, however, after recently filling out the FAFS form online (Thank God they allow it to be done online now, I remember this thing being a bear to complete fifteen years ago when my parents had to fill it out for me straight our of high school), I question whether it is able to get a true financial picture of people’s individual abilities to pay for school through their own financial means.
I remember my parents complaining about this very thing, saying that they don’t really ask for your other financial obligations, but instead they base it only on your income and tax information rather than assessing your needs based on a complete financial debts and assets picture, as I feel they should. Sure, they shouldn’t be giving grants to those that make six figures and squander that money on luxury items or a grandiose mortgage payment, but within reason, they should ask about mortgages, car payments and other financial obligations of that nature.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Student Aid, and it is now available in online format. It’s actually not the long, overbearing form it used to be, and it is used to determine eligibility for Federal grants, loans and student financial aid, but it is definitely also not the end all, be all when it comes to finding ways to finance your higher education.
There are hundreds of foundations, programs and grants that are set up to help people in certain demographics and niche professions that should also be looked into on a state specific basis. For instance, Ohio where I live may have different special offerings when it comes to financial grants and gifts when it comes to education, while the state of California may have dramatically different offerings on a state level. There are some websites that can help you in your quest to find these monies that can help you on your next step to higher education as well.
After completing the FAFSA, you will get a summary of findings that will basically tell you right away if you are eligible for any of the federal grant money for that year or not, and I’m assuming this is based purely on your economic and financial information. It also asks which schools you want your information sent to, and it will send it to them for you so they have your financial aid information. All in all, government sponsored financial aid is a great thing, I just do question whether it is truly a fair way to gauge who is most in need and deserving of grant money.
