<p>D's boyfriend will turn 23 this year and has decided to return to school this fall. His mother died several years ago, and his father was disabled in a work accident the same year. Even though he has not been living at home, he has been helping support his father financially by providing him with groceries, truck, gas, etc. Could he (the father) possibly be a dependent for FAFSA purposes if it turns out the son provides more than 50% of expenses? If so, I am thnking he would be classified as independant. This kid will need every penny of aid and low cost loans he can get. I know it is probably too late for this year, but he will be starting at CC and will just need Stafford Loans.</p>
<p>I would *think *he could be. The thing would be to prove he actually provides 50% of the support. That would be everything - medical insurance, utilities, living expenses (rent etc). If dad has any sort of income (such as disability or social security) then he would have to prove that what he (son) is providing exceeds what dad is providing.</p>
<p>But - and this is a big BUT - if Dad is very low income (below $30k for 2008 taxes, 2009-2010 school year) and meets the other criteria for automatic 0 EFC then the son should qualify or the automatic 0 EFC for the 2009-2010 school year. It does not matter what his (the son’s) income was in 2008 - if he qualifies for automatic 0 based on Dad’s income he should get it. That would make him eligible for the Pell and possibly other grants. </p>
<p>It is not too late to apply for federal aid for the 2009-2010 school year. My son returned to school last year and submitted FAFSA in late July and got the Pell. He was too late for some aid with some earlier deadlines such as our State grant (though oddly, in a good way, he got a check in the mail yesterday for the state grant for spring semester - a pleasant and welcome surprise as he just started an internship and was short on money for his bills while waiting for his first paycheck).</p>
<p>Next year (2010-2011 school year/FAFSA), he will be considered independent based on age. If he can show he provided 50% of Dad’s support I would think he can claim him as a dependent. </p>
<p>Hopefully Kelsmom or Nikkil will chime in here with their expert knowledge.</p>
<p>The dependent must actually live with the independent student and receive more than 50% of support from him. So, probably not since they have separate residences. But, since it sounds like dad is very low income and possibly receives SSI Disability benefits (which do not count as income for FAFSA), the student may qualify for a 0 EFC anyway. You can look at the qualifications on page 6 of this document, which also lists the other qualifications available for consideration as independent:
<a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111408EFCFormulaGuide0910.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111408EFCFormulaGuide0910.pdf</a></p>
<p>Edit: x-posted again! Hopefully one of the FA folk will weigh in on the residence issue!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! As the son had substantial income in 2008, I didn’t realize that his Dad’s lack of income could potentially help the FA situation. I believe his only source of income is Workers Comp. A Pell Grant could really help out!<br>
I will be helping him fill out FAFSA this weekend, and want to make sure he has all of the paperwork he needs.</p>
<p>Worker’s Comp does count as income - it’s reported as untaxed income for the parent. But any assistance he receives, ie. HEAP, food stamps, etc. is excluded. These instructions are very clear and helpful, I found:
<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/CompletingtheFAFSA09-10.pdf[/url]”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/CompletingtheFAFSA09-10.pdf</a></p>
<p>If the parent’s AGI was less than $30,000 and he either was not required to file a federal tax form or COULD HAVE filed a 1040A/EZ (even if he filed a 1040 instead), the untaxed income is irrelevant … it’s an automatic 0 EFC. </p>
<p>On the other hand, if the student claims that he is independent because he has a dependent other than a spouse, he would have to actually prove that the father is a dependent. It’s much easier to use the dad’s info & get the automatic 0. I had a student like this the other day, and it was to his advantage to stay dependent.</p>