How much finacial aid is this?

What factors influence how much finacial aid you receive?

• I know how much your parents make is a big factor but what else?

• Answer:

  The money in your savings/checking account. If you go on the FAFSA website on the bottom right corner there is a FAFSA4caster which you can play with and give it different answers which will result in different results. Also, if you are married, they pretty much count everything you and your spouse make as a one person. For example, I put on the calculator that my husband would have made 30,000 and I made nothing, and that we had no money in the bank account. I still wouldn't have received even half of the FAFSA grant. (30,000 a year for one person is good, but not for two people combined. That is like two people making minimum wage for an entire year.) What is in your parents checking/savings account doesn't hurt you exactly. It is what they earn during the year. If your parents have nothing in their checking/savings, but made a decent to wealthy amount the past year that is going to hurt you. Also if your parents received any previous college education. The government is more apt to give money to "first generation" college students and minorities. Remember, going to college (even if you have a part time job) your college expense is a tax write off every year. So keep your tuition statements, book receipts, gas bills, and laptop/computer receipts. PLUS research on your local State Credit Union Banks. They sometimes support college students with scholarships. AND community colleges normally give out a once a year scholarship which helps too. Hope this helps!