<p>Hello. I am applying early decision to a top tier school that offers full need-based rides to those accepted. I have been looking over what I need to do during these next couple of months for my early decision application and I have found that the financial aid forms are the most intimidating. My mother does not file taxes, so it seems as if it will be difficult to apply for financial aid considering that my potential college makes mention of sending in tax returns and whatnot (I asked my mother why we don't file taxes and she says that the small amount of money we do draw from child support is not enough to be taxable). We do have documents I suppose we could send in. Would Medicaid, food stamps, child support, and housing support (Section 8) forms need to be photocopied and sent in the place of tax forms? I am not quite sure how to make this work. Does anyone else have any advice or similar experiences? Thank you so much.</p>
<p>(Also, child support income, our only source of income, comes from my half-brother's father; my own father has been dead since '92).</p>
<p>For the 09-10 fin aid year schools & FAFSA would normally would want information from the tax return for 2008, which no one has filed yet. It is good that you are thinking about this now. There should be some other CCers that can help you.</p>
<p>Likely you will need to file the Profile and if your mother is a non filer that isn't an obstacle for you. There is a provision to declare that piece of information.<br> CSS/Profile</a> - student financial aid application</p>
<p>Your ED school's financial aid office will be able to answer your questions; they have likely already heard most every possible question, and have the answer for each.</p>
<p>On the FAFSA there is a check off box if you are receiving food stamps, aid to dependent children, public assistance, free lunch, etc. </p>
<p>Your mom will have to include the child support payments on the FAFSA as it is a source of income.</p>
<p>If your mom is a non-filer the school will ask for other documentation, public assistance award letter (how much you are recieving in benefits; food stamps, housing, etc) as they will want to know how you are living without any income, and where the source of money (however little amount it may be is coming from).</p>
<p>How do I get a public assistance award letter? This seems like it would be pretty convenient; my original idea was just to photocopy all of our documentation or something. </p>
<p>It shouldn't be too difficult to include child support payments on the FAFSA; I was talking to my mom about this and she says we can print off my half-brother's child support total from our state's official child support website.</p>
<p>If you are applying ED, you will be asked to provide financial info info for 2007 - then update with financial info from 2008. If applying to a private school or even some public colleges, they will ask for additional info besides FAFSA. You will need to fill out the Profile. Profile asks for financial info from both parents, so even if your parents are not married, your parent providing the child support must file tax/financial information. If your mother is remarried, then your stepfather must also provide financial info for the Profile. Check the financial aid deadlines. For ED, it comes fast.</p>
<p>Ah, yes - I have indeed been keeping up with the deadlines. My father is dead and my half-brother's father is divorced from my mother, so I will not have to worry about that.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we do not have any reliable form of transportation (we do not own a car and there is no public transportation). Also, my case is not uncommon in my town; my town was once doing quite well with a large furniture company that employed the majority of our small town, but now it has left for China. My mom is trying to get a job at our library though (it is in walking distance; hence how I have access to the Internet). The question is a tad bit rude, but I have no qualms with answering it.</p>
<p>College is expensive - even with full financial aid packages. You still have to pay for books and fees and meal plans, even with good financial aid. I have two kids in colleges and know many who had low EFC's - and yet, still were expected to come up with a huge amount of money to cover not only the cost of tuition, but also the "extras." Transportation to the college is another issue - those full rides generally don't cover things like that. </p>
<p>It sounds like a difficult situation for you. I wish the best to your mom and your family.</p>
<p>Actually, I am a College Prep Scholar through QB. I am still deciding whether or no to go through with the Match. If I do get matched, this should solve littlegreenmom's problem of "extras".</p>