<p>My boyfriend is 36 years old and went back to the University of Maryland this fall as a senior. He filled out the FAFSA and received very little financial help - a loan of $6,000 per semester. He had a job in New York in '09 and made $25,000. He spent all his savings when he moved to Maryland. He's a full-time student and got a part-time job, but it doesn't meet the cost of living and tuition. He is writing a letter describing his situation and submitting this to the financial aid office. Does he need to send in a new FAFSA in Jan. and try to get his taxes filed for 2010 in order to receive help for this spring? We're confused as to if he needs to do this if he's planning on graduating by the end of the summer. Basically my question is: Does he file taxes for 2010 in Jan and a new FAFSA, which will include income from his prior job, if he's trying to get aid for this spring/summer?</p>
<p>No. The 2010-2011 FAFSA using 2009 income information is for the entire 2010-2011 school year (fall 2010, spring 2011, maybe summer 2011 - depends on whether the school includes summer with prior or following year). The FAFSA that is available in January 2011, and which will use 2010 taxes, is the 2011-2012 FAFSA which is for the 2011-2012 school year, starting next fall.</p>
<p>He has to ask the school which academic year summer will fall in. Why would his former job from 2009 affect his 2010 income (and 2011 FAFSA)?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, public universities don’t have the money to give much in aid no matter what your situation is. And, worse, your BF wasn’t an incoming freshman, so aid if often worse.</p>
<p>He may have to take out a Sallie Mae loan to finish his education.</p>
<p>If your BF is going to graduate in May, then he won’t fill out anymore FAFSAs. If he’s going to continue next fall, then he will do another FAFSA, but that will be aid for the 2011-12 school year. Not, next spring.</p>