My son will apply for 2018-19 as freshmen. My family has recently got a green card. We have not moved and are not required to file tax return for 2016. Will my child eligible for financial aid? How to fill FAFSA in this case? My child has studied in Pakistan
I’m confused. You have been issued a green card but you don’t plan to come here now?
@happymomof1 don’t green card holders need to be in residence in this country for at least six months of each year?
If your SON is a green card holder, he would be eligible to file a FAFSA. He would include your income on it regardless of your place of residence. If you didn’t file 2016 taxes, you would need to fill out a non-filers statement…and on it I believe you would indicate that you were not a citizen or green card holder in 2016.
Are you currently living in the US? If yes, then you will have to get a non-filers statement from the IRS (start working on that ASAP).
Have you lived in any state long enough to establish residency? IF no, your child may not be eligible for state aid in states that offer it especially because he did not graduate high school in that state.
If your child is eligible for federal aid, he will receive it. we do not know enough about your financial situation to give a definitive answer.
@thumper1 - I do not know what the current legal advice is on this topic. The advice my sister-in-law was given about six years ago was that she should not be gone for more than six months. She returned to the US for two or three weeks every 5 1/2 months that she had that job. However her advice may have been specific to the countries of her passport and her job.
@saadpk67 - As a legal permanent resident, your child is eligible to file the FAFSA and be awarded federally determined financial aid. Since you weren’t US residents in 2016, you aren’t eligible to file a US tax return for that year. You will need to use the figures from your foreign income converted to the exchange rate of the day. Many college financial aid officers are familiar with the process and can advise you. Another good place to get help with this is the EducationUSA advising center that is closest to where you have been living. There are several in Pakistan: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center?field_region_target_id=&field_country_target_id=316&field_center_level_value=All