<p>Ok, so I have a father who died from cancer, will this allow me to receive aid? My mom is unemployed at the moment after being let go from the hospital. Are there any scholarships?</p>
<p>Also, if I cannot meet the tuition then how much can I take out in loans for college?</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s death. </p>
<p>You, the student, would be eligible for the Stafford loans…$5500 for your freshman year. Stafford loans are in the student name and do not require a co-signer. They are given to anyone who files a FAFSA. </p>
<p>You don’t say how recently your dad died. If this is a recent occurance and he had income that supported your family during 2009 (and you are enrolling in college for fall 2010), then this is something you will need to clarify with the financial aid office(s) at the school(s).</p>
<p>When you fill out the financial aid application forms (FAFSA, and sometimes PROFILE) they will require information from the tax year prior to your enrollment. E.g. for those enrolling in fall 2010, the 2009 tax year information is used. </p>
<p>If your dad died during that tax year, you should prepare some documentation of the change in your financial situation to present to the college for their consideration. </p>
<p>Another thing you don’t mention…if your dad had any life insurance, that will be considered an asset in the bank account of whomever it was left to.</p>
<p>If your dad died a couple of years ago…OR you are not going to college this coming year…the income of your mom and assets of your mom only would be used to determine your financial aid.</p>
<p>I don’t believe there are any dedicted scholarships (well…none that I know of) which are automatic awards due to the death of a parent.</p>
<p>I’m sure Swimcatsmom will pipe in here. She can give you specific information if you are low income, etc…regarding additional federal aid for which you might be eligible (Perkins loans, Pell grant, etc). Right now, there is not enough information here to know whether you would qualify for these or not.</p>
<p>He passed away back in 2000 due to cancer. There were circustances with moms boyfriends that were abusive and one of them robbed my mom of almost all of her money :(</p>
<p>Have you run any of the calculators that estimate your EFC? If not, the collegeboard site has one that is fairly accurate. That will determine your eligiblity for federal and state aid programs including the Pell and Academic Competitveness Grants. The FSEOG and Perkins loan programs are available to students who are Pell eligible (EFC under $4618) but the amounts of the awards are determined by each school individually, as is the distribution of federal work study. Finally, most schools have their own aid/grant programs which they will base on your EFC (from FAFSA or Profile, depending on their requirements) and scholarship programs which are usually based on test scores and gpa.</p>
<p>As thumper says, if your mom’s unemployment is recent but continues past the time that you would be awarded aid, then it’s possible to make a special circumstances appeal directly to the school who can change your EFC. </p>
<p>You may be able to find outside scholarships which will help as well. If you search using fastweb and consult your guidance counselor, something may turn up. I’m very sorry for the loss of your dad and hope all work’s out well for you and your mom.</p>
<p>I’m really sorry to hear all of this, mconstant. I believe that it should help with your FASFA, especially considering that your mother is unemployed…best of luck to you in getting as much aid as possible.</p>
<p>My kids’ father died in 1999. My eldest daughter graduated from hs in 2004, while I was still single. I have since remarried.</p>
<p>If you are filling out the FAFSA for 2010-11, you will be providing information regarding 2009 tax year. Your mother would file as a single parent. On the CSS, you will indicate that your dad is deceased. Even though you mother is unemployed, she receives Social Security on your behalf (and any siblings that you have), and your portion would be what is reported on the FAFSA.</p>
<p>As far as FA, it really depends on where you are accepted to go to school. My eldest went to Colgate and they were very generous with grants. The only loans she has are the federal ones. We are very grateful.</p>
<p>Check out Collegeboard.com. Look up schools that you are interested in. Apply to several that state that they meet 100% of financial need (like Colgate). Also keep state and community colleges in mind as they are more affordable.</p>
<p>Being a widow is very hard and I am so sorry that that man took advantage of your mother’s vulnerabilities. You will survive this <em>hugs</em></p>
<p>Susgeek, Social Security benefits are no longer reported on FAFSA. I think that changed for the 09/10 year.</p>
<p>^^^^ Yes it changed for 2009-2010.</p>
<p>To the OP, the tax year for your FAFSA will be LONG after 2000. Your father’s death that long ago will not have any affect on your application for financial aid. In other words, your dad will not be listed on the form, and none of his income will be listed. Only whatever your mom has will be listed. </p>
<p>If you really have NO income, that will need to be explained to the financial aid folks. If your mom earned less than a certain amount, there is a provision for those who have recently become jobless…but only if the income is below a certain amount (and I’m sorry, I don’t know that amount off of the top of my head).</p>
<p>As suggested by others…use of the financial aid calculators and plug in your mom’s info and yours for the 2009 tax year. This will at least give you a guestimate of your expected family contribution. If it is VERY low, you may qualify for a PELL grant in addition to the Stafford loans…and maybe a Perkins loan. You should also look into your own state’s grant programs. Some states have grant programs as well.</p>