<p>First of all thanks for reading my topic. I was just curious, does anyone know just how much schools look into your information as far as FAFSA is concerned? I live with my father and the problem is, his tax return states that his earnings this year were in the six figures. The problem? We are BROKE. his car JUST got repossesed, things are broken all over this useless house...but according to that tax return, I'm not getting any money for college. My mom who left him on the otherhand, is living a little under poverty, about 15k in earnings this year. If she filed me is that enoug? Or is there a lot more to it? I know this may be "wrong" but I really NEED the money.</p>
<p>You live with your dad. He is your custodial parent. You, therefore MUST list him as the parent on your FAFSA. </p>
<p>Is your dad still working and earning a salary? A six figure income is pretty high…but if you no longer HAVE that income, you could try talking to the financial aid offices to see if they would consider this as a special circumstance.</p>
<p>On the other hand…if your dad is a bad manager of money and continues to have a job and high earnings, you will not likely have very good luck with getting increased financial aid.</p>
<p>The rules are clear, at least in your case. Your father is the parent who must file his financial information on the FAFSA. As to how far colleges would look into your information, I couldn’t say of course. No one else here could either since they’re not sitting in the financial aid office at your colleges.</p>
<p>Here are some things to keep in mind though:
Is your father’s address on your college applications as your address? Don’t you think it would be odd for your father’s address to be on your college apps but your mother’s on your financial aid apps? Do your high school transcripts have your father’s address on them as your address? Your SAT score reports? Does the location of your high school reflect the locality of where you live? I think you’d be pushing your luck trying to use your mother’s information for the FAFSA and it could produce very unfortunate results for you.</p>
<p>Also, I guess it might be some small consoloation, the FAFSA doesn’t actually award much grant money by itself. Yeah, all money is precious, but it’s not likely even full awards of goverment grant money would come close to paying your bills if you’re planning on going away to school.</p>
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<p>The custodial parent is the one who has to, sorry.</p>
<p>Move in with your mom until you’re through applying.</p>
<p>^^^ you have to show you have been there for at least 6 months to do so.</p>