Confusion About FAFSA And Unemployment

Paying for College
1

Hey guys! I filed my fafsa last night, and something was very confusing to me.

I determined that yes, I was “unaccompanied and homeless or at risk of being homeless” based on their definitions and what I could figure out on google. They said “Any time after July 2019,” which was/is true.

I didn’t file taxes for 2018, and had no income then. I listed the money I had currently as well. The problem is I applied for unemployment for THIS year (2020) after I lost the job I had, and while I haven’t received any yet, I qualified. I didn’t see any place I could tell them this, or explain I did file taxes in 2019. Does anyone know if I’m doing something wrong?

2

You don’t include any 2019 income information. You’ll report that on next year’s FAFSA.

3

Unemployment income is income (unearned) and will be reported on your 2020 taxes, and will come into play when you file FAFSA in Oct 2021.

Don’t worry, there will be a time when you have to tell them about it.