Government Assistance and Financial Aid

Paying for College
1

<p>Do I have to report government assistance to my financial aid office? </p>

<p>My tax verification worksheet, and my fafsa now that I think about it, asked me if I got SNAP, School Free Lunch program, Government INS., ect. I do get some of those, but I marked them all as no. Just because I didn't want to delay my financial aid process, and I knew they would want proof of everything which I would have to get mailed to me, and that would take forever. I wasn't trying to hide my assistance. I honestly thought having those things would make me more eligible (because of the low income status), rather than take aid away. However, I'm not so sure that's true. I submitted all required paperwork with FA office, and things are still being held up. I'm starting to think that maybe it's because of that? I just logged into my student account, and everything was gone except for a message saying I need to come in an speak with a verification specialist. Did I make a huge mistake by not reporting it?</p>

2

<p>Yes, you made a mistake not answering honestly. I understand you weren’t trying to cheat but filling out forms completely and accurately is not optional. It will probably work out in the end but as you see has delayed things. Marking SNAP etc. on the fafsa would have made you eligible for the simplified means test or auto 0 EFC depending on your family’s income. Make an appointment with the verification specialist as soon as possible and bring any and all doc you can that you think they may ask for but just give them what they ask for. Again, for federal and any state aid it will likely work out in the end for funds that aren’t limited. It could affect work study as those funds are limited. If you were supposed to receive any institutional need based aid it’s hard to know what will happen as some of those funds may be limited.</p>