Hello. I’m a new permanent resident of the U.S and I’ll start classes at a community college next Fall.
I’m filling out the Application for FAFSA, and since my parents have never lived in the U.S, they never filled any form of tax return. I know I have to estimate their annual income for 2014. The thing is, my father has two jobs. One pays considerably more than the other one.
Can I estimate their income without taking into account that job? Are there any chances I could get caught? I was told they can only find financial situation through SSN or, in my case, the information I provide to them.
It is considered fraud to provide inaccurate financial information on your FAFSA form for financial aid gain…and your situation does not matter…at all.
You are required to list ALL income from both of your parents…and yes, that means both the higher and lower paying jobs. And this includes income earned in other countries. All of it.
And don’t think that you can’t be found out…colleges have seen it all.
You can lose your admissions status at your college, will be required to repay any aid you fraudulantly received, and will be subject to a fine.
Colleges here frown on dishonestly. Perhaps yoir first course should be an ethics course.
Also, you are a green card holder…and not a citizen. Your dishonesty could also impact your immigration status.
Don’t ask questions you know the answers to, and then tell people not to judge you. What if we say 'Sure, it’s fine, they’ll never find out" but then they do? Are you going to justify your fraud by saying ‘Well, the people on CC said it was okay?’ That will get you deported.
@pablorodriguez5 You came here asking for advice - I hope you pay close attention to what @thumper1 is telling you. Do you want to jeopardize your future?
This is a VERY dangerous thing to do. I understand that you want to get as much aid as possible, but it is not worth risking your chances of going to college at all to get a better aid package. Many colleges will meet all demonstrated need themselves, so I would work on talking to the universities you applied to about their financial aid policies instead.
If your parents retire or leave one of their jobs in the future, you might be able to receive more aid for your next few years of college. In the meantime, it might be a good idea to explore scholarship opportunities as well.
Thank you for your answers and I really am sorry that I even thought about committing fraud. I talked to a friend of mine who had done that in the past, and since I’ve never even lived in the U.S perhaps that was somewhat common.
Just so you know, I ended up declaring both jobs since it’s the right thing to do.
However, after I submitted my application, a message showed up saying ‘you verified that either you or your parents reported that a tax return was not filed even though the income reported meets the IRS requirements for filing one. Therefore, we cannot calculate an estimated Expected Family Contribution. You must contact your Financial Aid Administrator’.
What should I do?? I mean, of course we’ve never filed a tax return. We don’t have those in my country… Please, what are my options?
Thankfully you guys helped me see the right path. I’m so ashamed I even considered the initial idea. I’m sorry if I came off somewhat rude. That was not at all my intention.
And no, my parents did not move to the US nor have they ever worked there. Both jobs are from abroad, in my home country.
That’s okay, @pablorodriguez5 . If you don’t realize how serious fraud is in the US, it wouldn’t seem like a big deal. I’m glad you were honest on the FAFSA. Like twoinanddone said, you need to talk to the Financial Aid administrator as the instructions said. You’re not in trouble - they probably just need more information. The financial aid administrator will know more and be able to help you through the process. Good luck!
This is why schools should be super wary of granting FA to int’l families.
I interview applicants overseas for my son’s school. It’s nauseating to discover how extravagantly these families live in their home country and then have the nerve to ask for FA.
Thank you guys. Now I got an email saying my application was incomplete because my parents didn’t signt it, then it gives me the option to sign with their PIN (they don’t have one) or print page and mail it. What should I do, considering my case?
Where are your parents? Can they request a PIN via the FAFSA website? You know, their PIN is used to sign the document verifying that all info is correct.
If they can, they can sign into your FAFSA and sign with their PIN, I believe. They might need your PIN to do so…
They definitely can’t request a PIN. They’re not green card holders like me, and they live outside the U.S of course. Should I have it signed manually and then mail the page? It could take like 2 weeks to get to the U.S.
Oh. Well yes, any chance they have access or can get to a fax. I’m wondering if you could fax it, they could sign it…fax it back and you can mail it. Not sure if a faxed copy is allowed. Hoping @kelsmom or @happymomof1 sees this.
You cannot fax the signature page. Federal Student Aid requires valid signatures when you submit your FAFSA or make corrections to your FAFSA. A faxed signature page would be a facsimile of a signature and therefore is not valid. You are best off completing the FAFSA online until you reach the parent’s signature section, submit the FAFSA without the signatures and then having your parents print and sign the signature page directly and then mailing it to Federal Student Aid Programs P.O. Box 7006, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-0076.