So my situation is sorta odd I think. I “live” with my mom (on the record I do but we had a house fire so I’m actually staying with my sister right now), and I have no contact with my dad. I don’t even know who it is. But my mom doesn’t have any income… like her only job has been at a shell gas station when she was 19, and since then she’s been living off my grandmas social security and her various boyfriends incomes over the years. Right now she’s been dating the same man for a long time and they live together, but they aren’t married. So do I just put 0 on my income? If I do this won’t they want to know how I’m paying my bill? How do I prove that if someone is basically paying them for us?
If your income is really $0, then you put $0. When your FAFSA is selected for verification (it will be), you will need to provide documentation of how you are actually paying your living expenses. This could be leases in your grandmother’s name…and utility bills and the like in her name. Or in the boyfriend’s names.
If your mom doesn’t work, does this also mean she has not filed an income tax return since she was 19? If so…you will need to complete a non-filers statement for each college…and on that indicate why she hasn’t filed any tax returns.
Yes, you put 0 for income. It’s likely your FAFSA will be selected for verification, and you may need to provide a statement from your mom explaining how she is able to live on 0 income, but individual schools will request what they need for that. Just be sure to follow directions & provide anything requested as quickly as possible.
I used to work at a school that had quite a few students in your situation. Most financial aid offices are used to that scenario.