On the FAFSA application there ar ecouple questions that asks what level of education your parents obtained. Since my parents are immigrants, even though they both have university degrees from abroad, their salary is no where close to a match with their degrees.
Father: MD from China, but not "appreciated" in the United States, as a medical researcher, he gets paid the same as a Researcher I.
Mother: MBA from China, but language barrier kept her jobs to a rather menial level. She's a lab helper and makes half of a Researcher I's salary.
In this case, taking into account the mismatch of education and wage, would I say that my parents have or have NOT obtained "college or beyond" level of education? Please help!
2007-01-03 15:56:10 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
You should disclose this. Their education levels don't actually affect your grant monies anyway. This information is used in government statistics, that's all. They want to know the relationship between education levels of parents and the tendancies of students to seek education.
2007-01-03 16:06:20 · answer #1 · answered by JamesWilliamson 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While I agree with your point, the FAFSA is a legal document and must be truthful no matter what.
But, the good news is that you can talk to your financial aid office about adjusting whatever "points" are given for that question by requesting "professional judgement" on it. Be prepared to prove your point with pay stubs, etc.
The bottom line is all about income, so regardless of the MD, it's income that determines how much $ you're eligible for.
Good luck! And don't miss the deadline to file the FAFSA.
2007-01-03 16:37:51 · answer #2 · answered by College Advisor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This question on the FAFSA has nothing to about wages. Different question on the FAFSA will ask about their income. Remember, the FAFSA is a FEDERAL form. You must be honest about your parent's educational level. Since they have obtained "college or beyond" you must indicate that.
I know the form is confusing. I've had to deal with FAFSA may times myself.
2007-01-03 18:07:08 · answer #3 · answered by iloveeeyore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not think they base the amount of money you're eligible for on your parent's education level, rather on the amount of money they make. My opinion (after myself filling out the FAFSA) is that this question is perhaps a survey question. I know that your financial aid level is based on parent's income, but they are not going to penalize you for the level of education your parents have received.
2007-01-03 16:07:07 · answer #4 · answered by linz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, it doesn't really matter if you put that down or not. It is partly for stats but it also helps in matching you with grants and scholarships. If you are a first generation college student, there are scholarships for that and they may use the FAFSA to help them find applicants (potential applicants) for their stuff.
2007-01-03 17:03:01 · answer #5 · answered by BeckyT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Secondary eduction is secondary education regardless of salary or country. Because both of your parents earned degrees and attended college, you should fill out as such.
2007-01-03 16:03:42 · answer #6 · answered by EGGO 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Answer honestly. Say MD for your father and MBA for your mother.
BTW, this has no effect on your federal financial aid (unlike their salairies, mortages, etc.). The government uses it for statistical purposes.
2007-01-03 16:10:19 · answer #7 · answered by Target Acquired 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wont It is only based on your parent's income.
2016-05-23 01:29:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell the truth. I believe this question is probably asked for national surveys of who is applying. This will have no impact on your getting aid.
2007-01-03 21:31:49 · answer #9 · answered by Mrs.Blessed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they have had any source of college education then yes, you need to be honest about that.
2007-01-03 16:02:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋