I have been claiming my little sister as my dependent for over 6 years now because I have been taking care of her for over 10 years now. She recently graduated from high school and started college,she was able to attend for 2 semisters and then was told she has to stop because her dad doesn’t file taxes. She is really devastated and I am not sure what our options are in order to get her in school,she is 19 and doesn’t want to wait until she’s 24 to be able to go. What can I do in order to get her in school?
Your tax filing status has nothing to do with need based aid.
Unless you were legally designated your sister’s guardian, she MUST use her parent information on the FAFSA form.
Are you saying she can’t do so because her parent was required to file a return…but didn’t? If so, her parent needs to get their tax filing situation reconciled…because colleges either want the tax return, or a non-filers statement.
It’s just her dad,mom doesn’t live here but her dad doesn’t live here in the states,have been living here over five years now and he never filed tax. What is a non- filers statement and how do we go about getting it? What is her options? She’s very ambitious and wants to go to college and I don’t want her to get discharged. What can I do to get her in school,I’m responsible for her but I can’t afford it out of pocket plus I myself is in college too.
I’m confused…
Her dad lives here but has not filed taxes in the last five years? Is that what you are saying? Does he work? Does he have income of any kind?
If he was not required to file a tax return, she would complete her FAFSA and indicate WILL NOT FILE for her dad. She would still need to complete the form listing his income and assets.
If he was not required to file taxes, contact the college and ask where their non-filers statement is. They should be able to get this to her.
BUT if dad was required to file taxes, he is going to need to reconcile this.
Are the parents divorced?
Is her father a citizen, and/or does he have a SSN? If no, there are instructions on how to fill out the FAFSA (print it off, sign a hard copy) for parents without a SSN. If he is a citizen or has a SSN, HE (not you or the student) can request a statement of non-filer through the IRS. He may not need to file if he doesn’t make enough money in the US so just because he hasn’t filed doesn’t mean the student can’t file a FAFSA or qualify for Pell grants and loans.
Sorry for the confusion,her dad is a resident not a citizen but he hasn’t been living here in the US for the past five years
If she is filing a FAFSA for 2018-2019, she needs to report her dad’s income from 2016…from wherever he was living…on the FAFSA. She is a citizen…right?
http://www.marquette.edu/mucentral/financialaid/resources_non_filing_letter_instructions_1718.shtml
This is from Marquette University…but the process is the same for any college. Some schools (like Princeton) have their own form…so you could check your sister’s college.
When she did her FAFSA, did she include her dad’s income from 2016?
She didn’t include any income for him at all,he was in prison in england(he’s a citizen of UK)that’s where he’s been living for the past 6-6 years. He also has no income there(in England) to report.
^^ then why would she use his info at all? Why wouldn’t she use her mom’s? Why were they using dad’s info on FAFSA?
Btw…if dad had a green card at some point, but has been out of US for a year or more, and in prison during that time, it’s very possible that he’s no longer a resident/green card holder.
Where is her mom?
just want to say “good job” taking care of your little sister. sounds like it’s been rough. Good luck with this all.
This sounds like the perfect situation for requesting a dependency override. Please have your sister talk to a financial aid advisor at her school.
Mom lives in Jamaica
She put her dads information because he’s a US resident and they asked for parent information and been as I’m her sister and wasn’t given legal guardianship I was just left to take care of her and that I did.
She does need to use a parent’s information. There is a decision tree of which parent to use. First is which parent does she live with more (neither). Then it is which parent provides more support (neither). Then it is which parent makes more money (??) If it is easier to use the mother, to get her signature, do that.
As kelsmom says, this is a case for professional judgment. The school should be able to help you file the initial FAFSA and then override it.
She needs to talk to her college financial aid department about a dependency override. Any chance you could make an appointment…and go with her for this.
Bring some documentation that shows that her parents are not in the picture.
@kelsmom is an experienced college financial aid officer. Please listen to her advice.