Hi, I am kind of worried about getting financial aid assistance. I am a senior and am currently filling out the form but I have a slight problem. My dad is disabled and is not able to work at all, he receives disability from the government and my mom also has health issues. I am the primary source of income for my household. My mom made about 19.2k for the filing year and I made about 32k. My money goes right to helping to pay bills and the rent etc. A family member had also given me a gift of roughly 12k to use in case of emergencies such as medical bills, repairs etc which is sitting in my savings account. How will all of this impact my financial aid eligibility? I can’t afford to pay for college out of pocket and the savings there is not touched unless there is a major emergency. I know I have to report the money that is in my savings account but that money can’t be used for anything else.
Any chance your parents can file a 1040A or 1040EZ tax form? OR do you qualify for free/reduced lunch or SNAP?
At your income level, you might qualify for the simplified needs test if the answer is YES to one of those questions…and total parent income is below $49,999. If that is the case, your assets would not be reported.
I’m hoping someone else can comment here about auto $0 EFC. @mommdc @kelsmom if auto $0…does student income get reported?
What kind of college are you planning to attend? What are the costs…and I have to ask…why are you doing these aid forms so late in the process?
I’m sorry there is something I should clarify, this is my last year in college and because of the way fafsa work now using the previous tax year it only showed me making 4K because I had just started working. I am just reknewing the fafsa for my school, I am attending a public 4 year university.
You will be using income from 2016 for the 2018-2019 FAFSA.
What was your income in 2016?
I believe if parents made $25,000 or less, and qualified for a federal means tested benefit in 2016 or 2017, or were a displaced worker, or could file a 1040EZ or 1040A, or didn’t have to file a tax return, then auto zero EFC applies, in which case all assets and student income are disregarded.
The disability your dad gets, is it SSI?
I appreciate all the information everyone has given me, I looked over their tax paper work and it’s look like the person that helped with their taxes filed a 1040, not a 1040a or 1040ez. My dad is under the age requirement for SSI so all he gets is disability, his health insurance is Medicaid and Medicare though so I’m not sure if that is a qualification. My income in 2016 was the 32K.
As you have noticed, there is no place to explain special circumstances on the FAFSA. All you can do is fill it out and then write a letter to financial aid asking for an adjustment.
Document that you are the primary breadwinner for your parents, state exactly how much you pay towards their food, housing, medical copays, anything else. Then explain the assets.
Some schools are straight FAFSA, but many will make adjustments for extenuating circumstances.
Would I write a letter to my schools financial aid office?
Yes, to your school’s office. You may even want to talk to them before you write up your information. Make an appointment with the director of financial aid or someone with decision making authority; don’t just chat with the student worker at the front desk. Some schools have specific financial aid appeal procedures and it helps to know in advance what they consider and what documents they like to see.
So I gather you don’t qualify for any means tested benefit?
What about free/reduced lunch? Do you qualify? What about SNAP?
There is an age limit for SSI for disabled? Are you sure about that?
This is from social security website:
Last line…your dad is disabled…right?