I live with my grandmother.
She does not have legal guardianship of me, so I have to fill out the information with my mom’s information.
I DO NOT LIVE WITH MY MOM. I DO NOT LIVE WITH MY DAD!!!
I still have a good relationship with my mom, but I live with my grandmother.
My mother does not even provide a lot of support for me. She does not claim me on her taxes.
My grandmother’s name is on all of my documents and EVERYTHING!!! I am on free lunch under her income. She receives food stamps for me. I am on the lease at this apartment. Her name is on all of my medicaid stuff!!!
My dad pays child support that goes directly to my grandmother.
This is the only support that my dad gives.
I do not even ever talk to my dad. I have not talked to him in 2 years. I know how to get in touch with him, but we NEVER TALK. HE DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ME.
At one particular college, it says $65,000 or less will get you a lot of aid. My mom makes $40,000. I do not know how much my dad makes. If I add the two together, that might exceed $65K.
I am dirt poor. This is no lie. I AM FLIPPING POOR AS CRAP.
But if this stupid CSS Profile makes me enter informtion about my mom and my dad, it might not even seem that way.
How long would it take for my grandmother to get legal custody??? I am to the point where I am going to give up on my restricted early action because the CSS is due in 3 days and I do not know what to do. This is not fair!!!
*** sorry for all of the incorrect grammar. I am in such a bad mood right now. I am about to start crying.
It doesn’t matter.
Why are you living with your grandmother?
I accidentally pressed enter before I typed it all out.
If there is anyone out there who can help me, I could really appreciate it.
If I put this information on the special circumstances part of my application, will they consider this???
Once more…why are you living with your grandmother?
My mother gave birth to me when she was 17 years old. My grandmother took care of me because of how young my mother was. I have lived with her ever since then.
Also… I did not really mention that my mom and dad do not live together. They were never married. They want me to get my dad to fill out a noncustodial profile.
It would take longer for your grandmother to get legal custody than the apparent due date for your CSS profile. I will repeat the advice I have given to others with this sort of question. Google “child legal services” in your area. You will find resources. They will be free. If you need help finding one, PM me [California lawyer] and I will do my best to find a phone number or two.
Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I would enter as much information as I could [mother’s income + father’s child support] and submit it on time. If you don’t know [e.g., father’s income], enter N/A [not available] and let them get back to you so you can explain. You will not be the first applicant to have a mixed up background that does not fit the standard form. Fill out what you can and hope for flexibility down the road. Best, ATS
I agree - submit all the info you have. If you get into the school you can deal with financial aid then, if you don’t you will probably need to deal with each one you apply to RD on a case by case basis anyway.
If you can get your dad to fill out the NCP form that would be ideal. Since he does pay child support, colleges will be unlikely to waive that requirement.
You must submit the information of your parents. Even if you live with your grandmother and visit your parents, the one that you stayed the most with is the custodial parent.
The fact that your grandmother raised you because your parents were teenagers when you were born is not an unusual circumstance. It seems as if it were a choice of all parties that you stay with your grandmother. It still means that your parents are first in line when it comes to paying for your education.
You will have to fill out your financial aid forms using your mother’s income, which must include any support paid by your father for your care. Your dad will have to file the non-custodial form if the school asks for it.
^ there you go. Good luck and feel free to come back and ask for help as you go long.
ANOTHER QUESTION: Is the financial aid amount based on the income from this year (2015) or the income from last
year (2014)?
I just called my dad, and he has been unemployed for the better part of this year. He only made $20,000 this year, but he made about $60,000 last year. Will they take that into consideration??
For 2016-2017 FAFSA and for 2017-2018 FAFSA, the EFC is based on 2015 income and assets.
Is that the same for the CSS??
Some college financing experts are of the opinion that CSS will follow FAFSA’s lead and use 2015 income (not assets) for the next two academic years. No formal announcement from CSS as of yet, however.
The 2016-2017 financial aid will be based in income from the 2015 tax year. Even Profile schools will use that income amount.
Thank you guys so much for all of the help!!
If your father is willing to help you fill out forms, you might qualify to use him on your FAFSA forms. If you live equal amount of time with both parents, (in your case zero with each) then you are supposed to use the parent who provides the most support. Since your mother provides no support, that would make your father the parent to use. With an income of only $20,000, you should qualify for full Pell and other federal aid, and most likely any aid the schools using CSS provide.
For you it sounds like getting your parents to fill out the forms is the biggest hurdle, and that if you can get that done then you’ll qualify for aid.
@twoinanddone that is very good advice! @ilikebreakingbad that is good news for you…especially since you have now made renewed contact with your dad. Use him for your FAFSA forms and you might well qualify for strong financial aid
also, hugs to you having to deal with all of this…you sound like a good person who is trying to find the right path.