{"id":4300,"date":"2019-10-09T15:37:22","date_gmt":"2019-10-09T15:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/financial-aid\/?page_id=4300"},"modified":"2025-12-04T21:36:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T21:36:35","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nicholls.edu\/financial-aid\/links\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Office of Financial Aid receives many common questions. For your convenience, these are divided into these categories:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCompleting the FAFSA<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

What is ÐÓ°É´«Ã½\u2019 school code?<\/strong><\/p>

ÐÓ°É´«Ã½\u2019 school code is 002005.<\/p>

If I have a parent who is enrolled in a college or university, can this parent be counted as a family member in college when calculating my financial aid?<\/strong><\/p>

Under normal situations a parent cannot be included as part of the \u201cnumber of family members in college\u201d.\u00a0 However, certain circumstances may warrant the inclusion; contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.<\/p>

My parents have a lot of debts. Where are expenses reported on the FAFSA?<\/strong><\/p>

There is no specific section that you list expenses. The formula used by the Federal processor to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI) assumes that a certain amount of income is needed to support a family. Also, it is based on the household size and the number of family members in college. The Federal financial aid methodology does not make allowances for different lifestyle choices, which often influence the amount of a family\u2019s living expenses.<\/p>

I\u2019m going to be married during the school year for which I am applying for aid. Can I fill out my FAFSA as \u201cmarried\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>

No. You must indicate your marital status as of the date you are completing the FAFSA. In general, once you have indicated your marital status, it is not changed. However, certain situations may warrant an update.<\/p>

My parents are separated or divorced. Whose information should be given on the FAFSA?<\/strong><\/p>

On the application, information should be given for the parent who provided the greater amount of support to you during the last calendar year. FAFSA instructions have information that will be helpful if you have questions about providing information from separated or divorced parents.<\/p>

If the parent that you reported has remarried, you must also include information about your stepparent on the FAFSA. Your stepparent must be included, regardless of the marriage date or the stepparent\u2019s intent to provide financial support for you.\u00a0<\/p>

My custodial parent remarried and signed a prenuptial agreement that absolves the step-parent from financial responsibility for my education. Why does my step-parent have to provide financial information on the FAFSA?<\/strong><\/p>

Prenuptial agreements are ignored by the federal need analysis process. After all, two individuals (parent and step-parent) cannot make an agreement between them that is binding on the third party (the federal government). The federal government considers the step-parent a source of support regardless of any prenuptial agreements to the contrary. If a step-parent marries the parent, he or she is considered responsible for supporting the parent and children even if he or she is unwilling to do so.<\/p>

What does it take to be considered an independent student?<\/strong><\/p>

In determining whether you are independent, our office is required to adhere to the standard definition of independent status as outlined by the United States Department of Education. Contact our office if you feel as though there are extenuating circumstances preventing you from providing this information.<\/p>

My parents don\u2019t want to fill out the FAFSA. Can I use only my information?<\/strong><\/p>

If none of the dependency status questions on the FAFSA apply to you, the parental information is required because you are classified as a dependent student for financial aid purposes. However, you may answer “yes” when asked if you would like to apply for Unsubsidized Loans Only.\u00a0 You must follow up with the Office of Financial Aid if you choose this option, as there may be additional information needed.<\/p>

My parents don\u2019t claim me on their tax return and don\u2019t give me any money. Can I file as \u201cIndependent\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>

The definition of an independent student is very narrowly defined by law and impacts many students who consider themselves \u201cindependent.\u201d See \u201cWhat does it take to be considered an independent student?\u201d<\/p>

I\u2019m moving out of my parents\u2019 house and will support myself from now on. Do my parents still have to fill out the FAFSA?<\/strong><\/p>

Students under 24 years of age are considered dependent on their parents by federal law no matter where they live (there are limited exceptions \u2013 please note them in the FAFSA instructions). If your parents do not provide their information on your application, you probably cannot be considered for aid. If you have special circumstances that make it impossible for your parents to complete the application, contact us. See \u201cWhat does it take to be considered an independent student?\u201d<\/p>

What happens if my parents decide they will not provide any financial assistance towards my college expenses?<\/strong><\/p>

The federal student aid programs are based on the premise that students (and their parents, or spouse, if applicable) have the primary responsibility of paying for their college education. You are encouraged to seek scholarships. You can also seek employment. Additionally, you may want to consider a student loan.\u00a0 If mitigating circumstances apply, contact our office.<\/p>

What if my, or my parent\u2019s, income has changed significantly since I completed my FAFSA?<\/strong><\/p>

If you or someone in your household has experienced a loss or change of income since you completed the FAFSA, please contact our office for more information on special circumstances.\u00a0 Specific information will be needed from those in the household affected.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What is a Direct loan?<\/strong><\/p>

The Federal Stafford and PLUS Loans are offered through the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. The Department of Education (DoE) funds the loan. The federal government guarantees the loan against default, which allows them to offer loans at very attractive interest rates.<\/p>

What is the difference between the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan?<\/strong><\/p>

A Stafford Loan is a government-guaranteed loan available to students. There are two types of Stafford loans; subsidized and unsubsidized. With a subsidized Stafford, the government pays the interest while you\u2019re in school. With an unsubsidized Stafford, you are responsible for the interest while you are in school. You can either elect to pay the interest while you are in school or defer it until after graduation. You should note that if you defer the interest, it will be capitalized upon graduation and will raise the overall cost of your loan.<\/p>

What are some benefits of the Stafford Loan?<\/strong><\/p>