Question about "dislocated worker" on FAFSA

Paying for College
1

I received a VERBAL layoff notice a couple of days prior to filing FAFSA, but didn’t receive anything in writing for another three weeks (I filed FAFSA between these two events). Technically speaking, I really don’t know if I was a dislocated worker on the date of FAFSA filing, since I knew about the upcoming layoff but could not produce any paperwork to support this statement. So I said “Don’t know”.

What will be the right answer to this question? I’m adding more colleges to FAFSA now and can change my initial response. Thank you!

2

My understanding is that if I answered “don’t know” then it will be up to the FA officer to determine if I was indeed a dislocated worker.

3

It is self-determining. There really isn’t a big benefit to being a dislocated worker except if you made under $50k and then you can use it to qualify for the simplified assets test. If you have huge assets but made under $50k, it helps. Otherwise? Not so much.

4

Is this about making under $50K in 2016? Or now?

5

In 2015. The AGI on that return.

6

@tula32

The financial aid forms you are completing are using 2015 tax year info. So…the income question posed is about your income in 2015.