readyforachange

LOL...it is free this year if you go on your birthday!!

You do NOT need to fill out at FAFSA for a TA/RA/GA. They are all considered forms of employment, not aid. (Next year, the income from your TA/RA/GA will contribute to your FAFSA results. I currently make $12,000 / year as a GA and my expected contribution for my education is $2,300 / year which is ridiculous). However, when you do fill out your taxes, it can never hurt to also fill out a FAFSA: it's free, and you never know if you qualify for school grants. You can always reject the FAFSA offer of loans, but it's useful to know what you would be offered, and what's available to you. Personally, I take a small amount of loans, put it in savings in case of emergency while interest is paid while in school.

My SO won't even talk about what will happen until we know where I get accepted (hopefully somewhere!!) and where I decide to go. We've been together for four years, lived two years apart (two hours away which wasn't too bad) and now are finally in the same city, living together and...we can't talk about it. All I want to do is talk about it!! lol I'm not sure if he doesn't want to face the possibility of breaking up (or perhaps staying together). I understand that it is fruitless to discuss and make plans when we don't even know where I'll be - but hey, it's also pointless for me to check the results page and each of my program's Web sites for updates on admissions, but I'm still doing it He's concerned about leaving family and being able to find a job in the new area, both of which are extremely valid concerns. I just don't know what our decision-making progress is going to be like once letters start arriving :/

I only applied to seven...and I thought that was a lot! I cannot even imagine all of the stress and time associated with more applications (I admire your dedication!) I wish there were grants or other forms of aid (more fee waivers) to help with the costs of applications. GREs at $20/school, transcripts at $6 per copy, along with application fees $50-75 (and then any other misc charges like overnighting materials ). I'm a grad student! I'm already broke and my TA salary is not enough to cover these costs; thank you federal loans.

it's like the second I hit submit on my last (of many, many) application...I wanted to know. My last two applications were due today, but one was dec. 1 and four others were dec. 15. It feels like I submitted the other five so long ago! on a side note - I noticed one of my schools sends letters to permanent addresses, not current ones. So if I get a letter, I'll have to drive home to get it or wait for my parents to mail it to me. Great...MORE waiting!! ahhh