Dislocated worker question

Paying for College
1

I work at a university and was approached by an old friend who wants to return to college. I’m helping with filing his FAFSA.

The student is 25 years old and independent. He was employed full time in 2014 and made a little under $28,000. However, they lost their job in February. Does this student qualify as a “dislocated worker”? FAFSA definition and what I could find on the government website was a bit ambiguous.

Also, I am under the impression that a student with $28k for 2014 will NOT qualify for any aid, just loans. Is there any chance that the student will get a small amount of aid considering they are unemployed? I want to be upfront with the student so they are aware of everything before committing to going back to school.

Thanks for any help!

2

If your friend did not quit their job or get fired, then they would be a dislocated worker. If your friend does not hold a bachelors degree with the income you listed they should get a pell grant and will likely get state funding as well. I think they will be SNT which means shouldn’t be required to report any assets on the FAFSA either. Your friend should complete the FAFSA and if their Expected Family Contribution is anything other than 0 (given at the end of the FAFSA) , they should contact their school’s financial aid office to do an appeal for projected income due to unemployment. The school will help them with the process.