SSA Survivor benefits

I am completing an Institutional Aid App for Colorado State Univ. My husband died and my younger 2 children still receive Survivor benefits. The college student for whom I’m filling this out, does not.

The question reads: (value of) Social security benefits received for all family members except the student (untaxed portion only)

I didn’t think I ever had to report the value of the younger children’s receipts. When this says Social security benefits, would that include survivor benefits or are those excluded?

Thanks, I want to be honest and accurate, but also don’t want to include money I don’t need to!

For fafsa and federal aid, social security benefits aren’t reported. This school’s app is requiring it for any aid they may give. But just because it asks for it doesn’t explain how the info will be used by the school. The question may be targeting retired parents receiving social security or anyone including the younger sibs. It seems to say both. How long until the younger siblings turn 18 or graduate from high school when benefits end? I would contact the school and ask your question and ask how they use the info. Being a public U, CO State may not have much of their own need based aid to give in the first place.

The main goal of finaid apps is to determine how much income a family will have during college that can be used for college. If your income is low, the SS may not matter much if at all as far as expected contribution. But call or email and ask.

Was your student eligible for a Pell grant, @JBoyzmom ? If so, CSU then does another level of eligibility testing to determine if the student is eligible for special top-up grants that add enough institutional grants to fully meet in-state tuition and (regular) fees. They used to require the Profile for these students, but now they use their own form. It is rather a pain. (This is only for in-state students.)

I suspect they do want that SS income to be shown, but I would certainly make sure that you clarify that it is for the other two kids. You could call the FA office and ask to speak to a FA officer, though this is a crazy time there right now.

Good luck.