<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I've submitted my fafsa a few months ago, before the deadline. I realized that my EFC increased a lot this year, though my overall salary and my parents' remained pretty much the same. After taking a closer look at it, I realized that I had replied to a question that I had ignored in the previous years, which is question 45j on my SAR: "What other money has been paid on your behalf?"</p>
<p>This year I put in $6,000, which is an odd estimation given that it's hard to keep track of what people send me/give me, plus some people have been given me money "on behalf" of my mother (who lives abroad). The directions clearly state to: "Enter the total amount of cash support you received in 2009 from a friend or relative (other than your parents, if you are a dependent student)"</p>
<p>My question is the following: is there any way for the gov to actually check and see that somebody gave me money? I have previously been selected for verification by the Financial Aid Office, but they usually just ask for my parents' tax return.</p>
<p>I'm thinking of recalculating the sum that was "actually" given to me in order to lower my EFC, but I don't want it to look suspicious.</p>
<p>Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>They’re not really asking about just random money that people give you, but whether or not someone – other than your parents, or anyone who is already on the fafsa – is supporting you (paying your rent, bills, etc.)</p>
<p>To the OP…my guess is that this item on the FAFSA should have not been put in. As noted…it’s for someone who is providing necessary support for you who is NOT on the FAFSA. That does not include financial aid, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, babysitting money, or your allowance.</p>
<p>I agree with thumper - the operative word in that question is SUPPORT. If Granny paid your room and board because you’re her favorite grandchild, that would be support. If she gave you $100 on your mom’s behalf, that is likely coming from your mother and doesn’t apply. Ditto for the grad gifts, birthday, etc - these gifts are not support.</p>
<p>Thanks. So it wouldn’t be suspicious to change that to a smaller amount? I’m always afraid to make a mistake that will be taken as “fraud” when it comes to dealing with governmental aid, taxes, etc which is why I prefer to double check.</p>
<p>For instance, my grandpa gave me money to buy a car. Is that considered support?..you see where I’m going? It’s hard to know where to draw the line between gifts and support. </p>
<p>When it comes to my bill or my rent everything is in my name and I make the payments myself.</p>
<p>But I’m assuming that because of the subjectivity of the matter, the gov will take my word for it and will have no way of verifying that kind of statement. Is that a safe assumption?</p>
<p>Yes that is a safe assumption. In fact, if you are paying your rent and your bills yourself, you should not really put anything in that box at all. The government doesn’t really want to know or even care about just the general circulation of money that takes place in a family (ie your grandfather giving you money for a car, your mom sending you a bit of cash once in a while). As for the change itself, I don’t think that you will be questioned since many people make mistakes on the FAFSA (such as saying that their income is $5000000/year instead of $50.000/year.</p>
<p>Your grandfather giving you a car isn’t really support acc/ding to Federal Goevernment. Support would be more like if your grandfather generously agreed to take care of your rent at your apartment and pay off your water and electricity every month, just because he’s such a great guy. :D</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your help!</p>