<p>Financial Aid is estimated by past income tax reports because that is usually supposed to the same for the next couple of years, correct?</p>
<p>I used my parents 2008 report, in which my mom filed jointly. My father unexpectedly passed away in early January, but my mom did her taxes jointly for last year, because he was there the whole year...</p>
<p>I had no clue how to find just my moms stuff, so I filled in the numbers from above, for just my mom.... I'm so confused on how this is going to work, because we lost 2/3 of our income... and the 2008 tax reports is not realistic...</p>
<p>I don't know how to fix/work this out...</p>
<p>You can still edit it. :)</p>
<p>Instead of editing the fafsa because the data you put is still technically correct. contact the FA office of the schools you applied to or have been accepted at and inform them. They can adjust your figures based on this new information.</p>
<p>Also, you should inquire about how insurance money paid this year 2009 may affect your aid for the following year.</p>
<p>I'm sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>I am so sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>There is a place on the FAFSA and Profile for your mom to indicate her marital status as widowed. </p>
<p>I'm hoping one of the financial aid folks will respond to your question. I believe your mom would have filed with both parents incomes for 2008 as your dad was still alive all of 2008.</p>
<p>BUT you do need to contact the financial aid office and let them know about your changed circumstances. This is not like a job loss that might be replaced with another job. They need to know about this very significant change in your family's income.</p>
<p>I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to say that I am very sorry for your loss and hope that you are ok.</p>
<p>First of all, I am very sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>I imagine that this is a difficult time for you & your mom, and the hassles of the FAFSA changes are more than you need right now. I really think the best thing to do would be to contact your school(s) and ask for their assistance. You definitely do not have to use your dad's income info - your dad's income will be subtracted from the total & the taxes paid will be figured based on your mom's income. If your mom did not file as single/widowed, that will also need to be changed. This is not a professional judgment issue - you will be allowed to adjust the income.</p>
<p>My best to you.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to hear about your loss.</p>
<p>You have a "special circumstance", and the FA office should be able to easily adjust your FASFA for the reduced income (they back out your Dad's W2's). Note: That is not a guarantee of additional aid. Also, there might be some offsetting income, like survivor benefits, etc.</p>
<p>If your Dad owned a business, the calculation may be a lot more difficult. You might need your father's accountant to give your school the proper #'s.</p>
<p>It's actually really not even a special circumstance - the regulations allow for adjustment of income in this case without any professional judgment. Yes, the survivor's benefits can bump up the EFC - but mom makes less than $30k & is a displaced homemaker. This qualifies her for automatic 0 EFC. Of course, there may be extenuating circumstances we are not aware of --- so all advice is given assuming everything reported is correct.</p>
<p>The best thing to do is contact your school's financial aid office as soon as possible & discuss the situation. They will advise you how to proceed.</p>
<p>Thanks, i've been stressing and stressing about this...
I'll make sure to call tomorrow as soon as possible...
I'm also nervous about those calls...ah!
This is crazy..</p>