I’m a senior in high school and will turn 18 in February. My parents used to live in the U.S. and have filed taxes before, therefore they have an SSN, but now they live in Mexico and have lived there for the past 2 years. I’m filling out the FAFSA and since they do not earn an income in the states, they aren’t filing for their taxes. But it won’t let me put the amount my parents make without putting that they will file. I’m not sure what the tax return policy is like in Mexico (or if there even is one) so I don’t know if I should choose that they are filing a foreign tax return.
I currently have a job but I don’t make enough to satisfy my living expenses on my own, so I am still dependent of my parents in that sense.
I also read that people who don’t give their parent information in the FAFSA are only eligible for Stafford loans which I don’t think would give me the aid I need.
I guess my question is, should I put the income my parents make in Mexico and put “foreign tax return” and figure out how to do that? or should not give my parents financial information even though that would risk me not being eligible for all types of aid?
Are your parents U.S. citizens? If they are, I believe that they should still be filing a U.S. tax return, even if they only have foreign income. Also, I don’t think you’ll be eligible for any federal aid (including loans) if you don’t fill out the FAFSA completely, to include parent information (if applicable).
ETA: You may be able to get unsubsidized federal loans without providing parent information, but supposedly it depends on the school.
My parents had work visas and that is how they had SSN’s but now they only have tourist visas. And since they did not make any money last year in the U.S., i don’t think they’re filing
There should be an option that they do not file taxes and will not be filing. This shouldn’t prevent you from entering their income. At least one of them needs to get a FSA ID, just like you did, and use that to sign the FAFSA. If you state they aren’t filing, it will probably trigger a verification, and then you’ll have to provide more information to the school(s) you have applied to. They’ll ask about their income and your support. It doesn’t have to be US earning.
If you are having trouble getting the form to work, you need to contact the FAFSA hotline.
Your parents “SSN” numbers aren’t used because they’re not citizens or green card holders. Use 000000000.