Affording College

Okay here is my story I recently flew to the United States and became a Permanent resident in my Junior year, I passed my grades with flying colors but now that I became a senior I do not know how to afford college. My parents don’t have tax returns or anything that proves we are a low income family. So is there anybody that can tell me how I can apply for financial aid in this situation?

Your parents have to have some income even if it is public assistance.

Your parents have to file income tax forms for 2016.

Are your parents permanent residents too? If so, do they have SSNs? If so, you will file the FAFSA and answer the questions as asked. You and one parent will need to get FSA ID, and complete the form.

Basically, you apply for FA just like everyone else. You complete the FAFSA with the information you have.

  1. You and your parent (just one) will need FSA ID. For that you will need an email and your SSN. Write down ALL the questions and answers. It takes more than a few minutes so get this before you are ready to file.

  2. Complete the FAFSA with the information you have. You’ll need tax documents, employment documents if you don’t have tax document, bank account info.

  3. If you or parents haven’t filed taxes, you’ll need to indicate that on FAFSA (did not file) and they’ll want a statement of non-filing. You still need to put down any income you or parents made during that tax year (2016).

  4. expect to be verified. The school will want to know how you are living, who is paying the rent, for food, for utilities.

Do,your parents live in the U.S. also?

How do people fly to this country and quickly get green cards if they’re low income, can’t show means of support? I thought we had laws to prevent that? I thought that if you’re low income and come here, you have to show that you have a sponsor to provide support so that you’re not a new burden to taxpayers?

Who pays for your parents rent, food, transportation?
Are you all living in a homeless shelter?

The green card could have been applied for ten years ago (not exaggerating) or this could be fanciful wondering or wishful thinking or the OP may not understand his/her family s situation…

Many people secure their green cards before they come or just after they arrive. It all depends on what type of visa they use to enter the US Even if they do have to provide information about their income or have a sponsor for the visa application, that doesn’t mean they are required to file taxes if they do not meet the income requirements to do so. If a sponsor was paying all their bills, there’d be no income requiring taxes to be filed.

The OP asked a question about his situation and that’s what he has to deal with. He has a green card and can file a FAFSA.

It took too long but Thank You. I will do that