<p>I just started my graduate degree and am taking out loans for the whole thing. Of course, I am making major payments as I go, but it will still put me into debt nonetheless. I did not qualify for any fafsa assistance because I make $24,000 and my husband makes $30,000. </p>
<p>His parents are supporting his brother, girlfriend, and their child while they are both in school. Last year they spent over $40,000.00 supporting them, in addition to the free daycare, foodstamps... etc. In addition, they both are going to school for free. I know that she is claiming "single mother with no income"... wouldn't she still have to claim their support as income? </p>
<p>I feel like I am suffering with tons of student loans while they are getting everything for free, and I am cutting coupons and pinching pennies to make ends meet. Is this just some loop hole I have to deal with?</p>
<p>It sounds as if the brother’s GF is an undergrad, is that correct? There is actually very little federal aid available to graduate students, other than Stafford and GradPlus loans…Pell, SMART, ACG, etc. are for undergrads only. She likely qualifies for food stamps and childcare assistance because she has a child, although IIRC she would have to divulge any/all support or income for her HOUSEHOLD, which would include the BF and his parents. Similarly, any bills they’re paying for her or cash support they are giving her should be reported on her FAFSA as untaxed income. It sounds as if she may not be reporting to SS or FAFSA correctly, but without more specific knowledge of her financial situation it would be impossible to know for sure. She would qualify as an independent student if she is actually supporting the child or is in grad school.</p>
<p>I knew beforehand that I would have to pay for grad school out of pocket and I realize that they are just working on their AAs… I just wasn’t aware of the rules governing single parents living together. I still am paying back student loans for my undergrad because although my parents made considerable incomes, they did not help pay for my college. </p>
<p>I know I can’t do anything about this, but I was just seeing for my own curiosity if it was really that easy to cheat the system. They go on dates to expensive restaurants, drive new cars and do not have to worry financially at all. It just irks me a little bit.</p>
<p>Well stop it. You can never, ever know the lives of others – or the price that they will ultimately pay. Apparently the woman IS “single” and a mother. She may be sighing that you have all the blessings in the universe because a) you are married and b) you are working on an advanced degree and c) you aren’t living with both a baby and “in-laws”. </p>
<p>We had a neighbor who worked for the sheriff’s office and served collection papers. He had lots of sad tales to tell about the end results of people living beyond their means. What you may be seeing isn’t “cheating the system” but “the calm before the storm.”</p>
<p>Work on being the best you that you can be. Find a way to be gracious and kind to H’s extended family (especially the little kid who may end up really needing some functional role models). You can be Aunt Nicole who is decent and loving or Aunt Nicole who is mean spirited, judgmental and snide! (Pick one).</p>
<p>Well said, Olymom! I agree…you don’t have any way of knowing the true details of other’s financial lives. Their expensive dates may be paid for by credit cards at 29% interest! I used to wonder how certain people always seemed to be doing better than I was…until I read their names in the bankruptcy postings! In any case, you know that you have real opportunities and their future sounds far from certain at present. I managed to pay off my loans early by living like a student while I was a student and for a few years after that. I had enough capital to buy my first home and start a business when my peers were still paying for their educations. Being frugal can be fun…you just have to remember to reward yourself in other ways and remember that a weekend away or an expensive night out sometimes outweighs the costs of therapy and anti-depressants! Good luck!</p>
Good luck!</p>