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Should I use my financial aid to buy a car?

Bottom Line: Never Use Student Loans to Buy a Car But consider this: nearly half of college graduates that have student loans are in repayment plans that take more than 10 years and up to 25 years. You could still be making payments on your college car, while you shop for your kid's first set of wheels.
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Should I use fafsa to buy a car?

No, you can't use student loan funds to make car loan payments. Transportation expenses to get to and from school are an approved expense, but you can't use the loan money to buy a car. You can, however, use student loan funds to pay for gas and vehicle maintenance.
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Should I buy a car if I have student loans?

Monthly student loan payments will limit how much you can put toward a monthly payment on an auto loan or lease. It could also impact your ability to save for a down payment, which is a good idea with both options. If your budget is limited, buying a used car may be the best option.
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Can I spend my fafsa money on anything?

Anything pertaining to your schooling is an appropriate use of financial aid. School supplies, a computer, travel costs to and from campus, books, tuition, childcare expenses (if applicable), and tutoring are all reasonable purchases for a serious student.
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Can you keep leftover financial aid?

You could keep the leftover student loan money for the next academic term or school year instead of sending the money back. But, it is better to return the money if it is an unsubsidized federal loan or a private student loan. Returning the money will reduce the amount of interest you will be charged on the debt.
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ACCOUNTANT EXPLAINS: How to Buy a Tesla Half Price

What happens if I accept too much financial aid?

If there is an overpayment and the school failed to fol- low required procedures, it must repay the overpayment. If the school fol- lowed the required procedures and the overpayment is $25 or more, the student must repay it.
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What happens if I don't use all my Pell Grant money?

Pell Grant Aid Disbursement

If there are additional funds left over, a student will be issued a credit. The form of this credit varies depending on the institution. The credit can be used to pay for books, up to a certain amount, and other educational expenses.
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What happens if you misuse FAFSA money?

Lender and Legal Consequences

If your school's financial aid office discovers that you're misusing federal student loan funds, it could report you to the Department of Education and demand repayment of your loan funds.
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How do I cash out my FAFSA money?

Here are the 3 ways you can ask to receive your refund:
  1. Direct deposit: Direct deposit lets your school electronically send the money straight to your bank account. ...
  2. Physical check: Your school will mail you a physical check. ...
  3. Student account credit: Some schools might let you leave the refund as a credit on the account.
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Can you buy clothes with FAFSA money?

When you take out federal student loans, the government expects you to use the proceeds on certain types of expenses. Tuition, fees, supplies and textbooks are among the expenses approved by the federal government, while things like vacations, clothing and some other personal expenses are prohibited.
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How to afford a new car in college?

But there are a number of ways to improve your chances of approval when you're buying a car as a student.
  1. Show a reliable source of income. ...
  2. Talk with banks or credit unions where you already have accounts. ...
  3. Get a co-signer. ...
  4. Get good grades. ...
  5. Friends and family. ...
  6. Local car dealers. ...
  7. Online. ...
  8. Leasing.
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Is it smart to get a car loan in college?

Some lenders will offer discount interest rates on auto loans for students with high grade point averages, so spending more time in the library could translate into financial benefits.
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What can you not buy with student loans?

You're not allowed to apply excess student loan funds toward your other debt, such as personal loans, credit cards, mortgage payments or auto loans. This also includes paying for someone else's education. However, there are certain exceptions, such as paying for your child's daycare while you attend class (see above).
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Should I buy a car before filling out FAFSA?

Another way to shift the asset load is to accelerate necessary expenses. For example, if your family needs a new car or the house needs a new roof or other major repairs, it may be better to spend the money on these necessary expenses before filing the FAFSA or CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.
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How much money from FAFSA is good?

The amount of money you can get by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) depends on your financial need. But, the maximum amount can be in the low tens of thousands of dollars per year. Average amounts are about $9,000, with less than half of that in the form of grants.
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Should I pay back FAFSA?

The good news for many students is that much of the money you are awarded through the FAFSA does not need to be paid back.
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Do I have to pay back FAFSA if I drop my classes?

Federal financial aid regulation states that if you withdraw from all of your classes or cease enrollment prior to the 60 percent point of instruction in any term, you will be required to repay all unearned financial aid funds received.
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Does financial aid go to your bank account?

After you have your bank account set up, share the account and routing numbers with your school's financial aid office, and they will deposit additional aid funds directly to that account as early as 10 days before classes start.
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Do I have to pay back a Pell Grant if I withdraw?

You withdraw early from school.

The government views this as unearned money since you didn't complete the program. Be prepared to pay back half of the "unearned" money. If you received $1,000 and leave school in the middle of the semester, you will pay $250.
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What is the most common mistake made on the FAFSA?

11 Common FAFSA Mistakes
  • Not Completing the FAFSA® ...
  • Not Using the Correct Website. ...
  • Not Getting an FSA ID Ahead of Time. ...
  • Waiting to Fill Out The FAFSA Until After You File Taxes. ...
  • Not Filing by the Deadline. ...
  • Not Reading Definitions Carefully. ...
  • Inputting Incorrect Information. ...
  • Not Reporting Parent Information.
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Is lying on FAFSA a felony?

If someone purposefully lies on the FAFSA®, they're committing student fraud . Intentionally lying on the FAFSA® is a serious crime that the U.S. government can punish with fines of up to $20,000, a prison sentence, or both, according to Federal Student Aid .
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What can you spend financial aid on?

Federal student aid from ED covers such expenses as tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, and transportation. Aid can also help pay for other related expenses, such as a computer and dependent care.
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What 4 things affect the amount of money you receive from your Pell Grant?

The amount granted depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), cost of attendance, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
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Why did my Pell Grant get taken away?

Some of the most common reasons your grant funds may be reduced are: You didn't enroll full time. Pell Grants are prorated for part-time enrollment, You didn't begin attending all of your classes before the financial aid lock date.
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Do Pell Grants go to your bank account?

How will I be paid? Your school can credit the Pell Grant funds to your school account to pay for tuition and fees, pay you directly (usually by electronic transfer to your bank account), or combine these methods. The school must tell you in writing how and when you'll be paid and how much your award will be.
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