Financial AID (FASFA)

[CBCH 2]

hey alllllll,

My husband is applying for schools here in the STATES. We have his EAD and AOS but are waiting on his G.C. but my question is he able to apply for financial aid? I know he cannot become a burden on the U.S. but I wasn't sure if it applied to Fasfa???

thanks!!!

[annerobin12 9]

FAFSA is available for legal permanent residents and USC, so he's out of luck until he has his Greencard. I'm in the same boat btw

[Gosia & Tito 199]

hey alllllll,

My husband is applying for schools here in the STATES. We have his EAD and AOS but are waiting on his G.C. but my question is he able to apply for financial aid? I know he cannot become a burden on the U.S. but I wasn't sure if it applied to Fasfa???

thanks!!!

FAFSA is a loan from the government to be used towards education.

While the terms are usually not bad, it must be repaid with interest. Default is not possible as I recall.

It's not free money as some seem to think.

Before embarking on this, you want to check whether is best to work part time and study or even work for 1-2 years before getting into a school. Nothing better than having a degree and be debt free.

[annerobin12 9]

As far as I know , FAFSA is the APPLICATION for financial aid (federal). It all depends on what he qualifies for after submitting his application (loans you have to pay back, grants and scholarships not)

[Sooooon 11]

As far as I know , FAFSA is the APPLICATION for financial aid (federal). It all depends on what he qualifies for after submitting his application (loans you have to pay back, grants and scholarships not)

Yes this. FAFSA can grant you free money if you are needy enough, such as my sister in law and her son who have both gone to school despite neither having a job or savings. If you are low income you may get a grant covering all or part of your studies, but you have to make grades to keep receiving this for future semesters. They also do loans and other grants.

OP: You cannot apply until you have greencard issued. In most colleges you can be eligible for in state tuition rates after 12 months of marriage to a resident of the state. This was important info for me because waiting 12 months after I got employment would have meant putting off education for 18 months post entry (ead took ages to arrive).

[annerobin12 9]

In most colleges you can be eligible for in state tuition rates after 12 months of marriage to a resident of the state. This was important info for me because waiting 12 months after I got employment would have meant putting off education for 18 months post entry (ead took ages to arrive).

Oh wow, I did not know this, so in this case you don't necessarily need the greencard to be considered in-state?

We will be married for 12 months in July, I still don't have my Greencard (interview waiver).

I'll have to do some research! Thanks for the info

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Yes, if you qualify, you can receive grants, such as the Federal Pell Grant, that does not need to be repaid. It is not a loan. You can decline any loans offered to you as financial aid, if you do not wish to use a loan of any kind.

As was stated, OP, your husband will need to wait until his green card is approved and he is a permanent resident > https://studentaid.ed.gov/eligibility/non-us-citizens

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to Tax & Finances During US Immigration - topic is finances/financial aid, not AOS ~

[2018JourneyDone 77]

So happy to have seen this post as my husband and I were just talking about his desire to pursue a college education. We were JUST looking at different options online last night and honestly had no clue how it works. This has now answered every one of our questions. Whew! Thank you for posting!