No Debt MBA

While I'm still enjoying my classes and learning a lot,  I can't help but wish for summer to get here already.  I'm craving a little more autonomy and control of my schedule and feeling like an adult again.  Something about having a class schedule, homework and no vacation or personal days makes me feel like I'm back in high school.  Of course my internship won't give me real work benefits but it will be one step closer.

I'm feeling very satisfied with my summer internship.  As I mentioned before, it's in an area totally different from my background, uses a completely different skill set, in a city I've never lived in before.  So I'm excited for the opportunity to really get out and see something new and learn some really new skills.  I don't know if this is what I will want to do full time after graduation but there's only one way to find out.  I wanted to use business school as a tool to broaden my career options and understanding of the business world and this certainly fits the bill.

So it's almost spring now and that means it's time to write up the FAFSA or whatever other financial aid application that your school desires so they can pass judgement on your finances and decide how much help you'll get in the next year.  Last year this was a breeze for me.  At least as much as any process involving doing your tax returns, finding old tax returns and filling out even more paperwork can be.  I knew the rules, knew how to best arrange my finances in that light, and was pretty confident in my efforts to do so.  I came out of the process with an award that far exceeded my hopes and dreams (ok, even I don't dream about financial aid) of what I might be awarded.

But there's a problem.  Now I have to go through the process again and I'm nervous that it won't go as well.  This year the paperwork is going to be almost as complicated.  There will be fewer forms but my taxes are more complicated.  I'm still putting off whether or not I'll deduct my MBA - it's the only thing awaiting completion on my return.  Basically I'm worried because my finances are in really good shape, better than I was hoping in some ways.  No loans, investments have done well, extra 529 money, and spending that stayed low through out the last year.  That's worrisome because I fear I may be penalized because of my hard work and success and will receive less aid than last year. 

But there's nothing to do but to fill it out, turn it in, and see what comes back.  Cross your fingers for me!