So as it is, my family is in need of financial aid and a lot of the schools I’m applying to “require” the CSS profile. The problem is that we do not have tax returns and we do not file for any (nor need any). We are not US citizens and my dad is a diplomat (but I have a green card), so I wanted to know if we should fill the CSS profile out or not?
If the school requires the Profile, or a similar form for international students, you will have to submit it in order to be considered for need-based institutional aid. Not having tax returns is not a “problem.” You can still provide the requested information regarding income and assets.
You will look up the requirements for financial aid for US citizens/US Permanent Residents and follow the instructions accordingly. You will most likely be flagged for verification and the school will ask for additional information.
Your dad is a diplomat from another country…and you have a green card?
How so?
@thumper1 well he’s not an official diplomat but he is here on a diplomatic visa. He works for the UN if that helps you understand better. Also he is not allowed to have a green card, nor is my mom. But his kids are, which is why I have one.
Then you do as @sybbie719 advised. Look at the college websites for the schools to which you are applying…and submit what they require.
Since YOU have a green card, you will be required to file a fafsa form. Your parents will not have social security numbers so will have to put 0’s instead of the actual SS. They will still need to list all of their income…regardless of whether taxes are filed or not. You will not be able to link to,the IRS data retrieval tool for them. You need a non-filers statement to complete for EACH college. One reason for not filing is that you don’t have U.S. income. But your parents still need to list their incomes on the fafsa (and Profile) forms.
They will not be able to sign electronically so you will need to print out the signature page…sign and mail. Make a copy for your records.
Very likely, you will be selected for verification…so make sure you have documentation of your family income from sources outside the U.S.
You will complete the Profile and submit whatever else your colleges require.
@thumper1 Thank you. Also we already filled out the FAFSA and my dad has a social security card.
Would a non-resident have a social security card?
If your dad is not a US citizen or US permanent resisent, he probably has a tax ID number, but probable does not have a SSN
@thumper1 Having an SSN is not the same as having a green card, having current work permission, or being required to pay taxes. That the father has an SSN would indicate that at some point the SSN was needed for some particular purpose, and so the dad was issued one then. As a UN staffer, he probably is not eligible to file US taxes.
@moderator Just ask each place where you are applying what to do about documenting your family income. You are not the first person with your situation to apply to those colleges and universities. So long as you do what A wants for A, and you send whatever it is that B wants to B, you should be fine.
I understand the difference between the green card and SS. I just didn’t know that someone who was not a citizen would be issued a SSN.
You need to fill out your FAFSA for federal aid since you will be eligible for it by being a permanent resident. However if you require more aid, and for schools that take the CSS profile, you should fill that in. Since your dad is a diplomat, and im assuming thats the only family income of your family, you will need to fill all the income of the past year in the “Non taxable” section. Be sure to get some official documentation from your dads employers to support the fact.
I am international, and not US citizen, and what should I do if I want financial aid?
Go to the financial aid web page on the website of the school/s that you are applying to, and follow the directions there for international applicants who are asking for financial aid.
@salome1999 Don’t hijack someone else’s thread, instead you can start your own new thread.