<p>^^^</p>
<p>They mean when the family’s income is very low, not the student’s income is low.</p>
<p>If the family’s income is very low, (and can be verified), then some “free money” from the gov’t is available (under $10k per year).</p>
<p>However, if someone else (a relative, etc) is paying for college costs, that may need to be declared at some point.</p>