<p>So my parents flat out refuse to fill out the FAFSA info for me. They said since our income is in the 7 figure range I won't get anything (which I understand) but I'd still like to get the student loans and work-study. My stepdad says that he doesn't want "unneeded attention" and tells me to use my other stepfather's information. So now I've got several questions.</p>
<p>1)How can I convince to file that stupid form?
2)Even with our income I'd still get work study and loans right?
3)Just to confirm, it's not legal to pretend my other stepdad is my only parent is it? (My Mom's info is tied in with my 2nd stepdad's taxes)
4)What's the auditing rate for FinAid apps?
5)What are the legal consequences for false information?</p>
<p>Also another tidbit. My real Dad lives in Russia. Is there anyway I can say that he is my primary parent and that his information isn't applicable?</p>
<p>You would get an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Work study is a need based award. Without need, you would not get it.</p>
<p>How do you have two stepdads? The only stepdad’s info that is required on the FAFSA is that of the one who is CURRENTLY married to your mom. That other stepdad is not a member of your family (unless he adopted you…), and therefore his income and assets are not reportable on your FAFSA.</p>
<p>No, you cannot use your Russian dad as your custodial parent. You don’t live with him.</p>
<p>The parent you must list on the FAFSA is the one with whom you reside. AND their spouse if there is one.</p>
<p>Legal consequences for false info on the FAFSA?? Well…you would certainly jeopardize any aid offered to you (including loans) and possibly your college acceptance as well. It’s fraud to put false info on the FAFSA.</p>
<p>Audits are random. It’s important to be honest on the FAFSA. If you get audited (or verified…that’s what it’s called) you will have to produce your taxes and other information that will support what you put on your FAFSA.</p>
<p>You need to sit down with your mom and stepdad and find out how much they are willing to contribute to your college education annually. Your step dad and mom may have already discussed this. Maybe they have an amount in mind. Find out what it is.</p>
<p>Here’s one thing to say to the parents…regarding “attention”. There is NOTHING on the FAFSA that isn’t already being reported to the government…taxes, interest payments, investment proceeds, savings info, bank info…that ALL is being sent to the government already anyway.</p>
<p>If you make over a million dollars a year (7 figures), I can’t imagine why you would need financial aid. I mean, the most expensive college you could go to is probably going to be 1/20 of your family income. Just fill out the FAFSA for legal purposes, but it doesn’t sound like you need to sweat paying for college.</p>
<p>What’s the issue? Will they pay for college? If you have a 7 figure income and the assets that are usually amassed with that income, there’s no reason to fill out the FAFSA forms. I know people will debate this, but if you have the typical assets of people who make this income, even if the income is totally lost, it will not result in any aid in the next 4 years.</p>
<p>If you want a job to help out with the expenses, then just get a job. It would not be fair for you to get a Federal Work Study grant because that would be taking money away from someone who really needs the job/grant that they can provide. Your intensions are admirable, so just go out and work. You can pay your family back, or you can take care of your sundry expenses that way.</p>
<p>No school would give this person federal work study. That is only supposed to be for kids with need.</p>
<p>the ONLY thing the fafsa would do is make the student eligible to get an UNsubsidized stafford loan and possibly get their name on the list for merit scholarships (some schools use the fafsa for this purpose)</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ll admit those loans are also a big reason why I want to submit the FAFSA. And to be fair, even though my parents make that kind of money…they’re very picky with how they want to spend it. They went through a whole phase not wanting to pay for college at all. But thanks for the answers anyway, I know I sound like a spoiled little rich kid, and I debated for a while even asking those questions, but I would like to be a little more independent and in control of my life. I already have restrictions placed on me because they don’t want me to go to any other college other than my state U, so I was hoping that submitting the FAFSA could at least give me some other options. </p>
<p>I’m sorry to sound insensitive, but that is a lot of disposable income. Your family makes more in 5 years than most make in a lifetime. But it sounds like you want to pay for your own college, which is admirable, but I would say it carries more consequences that you may realize. Paying for your own college to be independent sounds great until you have to pay the monthly bill. You shouldn’t feel bad about your parents paying for your college if they want to. It’s really expensive to go, and if your parents can help out, by all means, you should take them up on the offer.</p>
<p>If I had a 7 figure salary, I wouldn’t want to fill out the FAFSA either. I’d only do it if it were required for a scholarship competition at the school.</p>
<p>There are a lot better ways of spending a weekend than filling out those forms!</p>
<p>Many kids would dream of being in your situation. 7 figure annual income. I can think of very successful businessmen, accomplished sports players like professional hockey players, baseball and basketball players and of course, Hollywood actors who make this kind of money. Now, if only they were wise enough to value education in a high quality institution. Still, you have a claim on them. So, make the most of it.</p>
<p>man, if your parents are making in the millions per year, then i would HOPE they would be wiling to pay for you to go to any college of your choice. . . unless they REALLY hate you. Trust me, paying for college on your own is not as easy as it sounds. . . unless you are going to a community college and you have a load of scholarships. . .</p>
<p>What does this mean? Parents are not REQUIRED to pay for college for their kids. No law that says this. The EFC is computed based on parent income/assets primarily and that is the expected contribution. BUT any parent can say NO. However, this doesn’t affect the financial aid awarded.</p>
<p>Let’s not chastise the student for the income/choices of his parents. The student doesn’t control how the parents spend their money. </p>
<p>People who amass wealth (you’d be surprised how many high-income people don’t do so) generally do so by being picky with how they spend their money. </p>
<p>sugar, needing the FAFSA for merit aid may be the way to get them to file it. Have you applied to schools at which you may be eligible for merit aid? It’s possible that, with merit aid, a school other than State U could end up being less expensive than State U; even State U may have some merit grants available. I think that could be a way to make your case with your mom and stepdad. </p>
<p>And good for you for wanting to be more independent! You don’t need work study to find a job; I used to work on campus (at flagship State U) when I was a student, as did many of my friends, and none of us were on work study.</p>
<p>I would shop for schools that do not require you to fill out the FA forms (profile or fafsa) to be awarded merit aid only. I would look for some private schools where you are also in top 20%. Would your parents pay for example, $30k per year if you were awarded 10k per year in merit aid and the total cost were 40k at a private school? If they won’t, then I wouldn’t bother, and I’d settle for my state school.</p>