<p>I'm trying to help a friend and want to run this by the financial aid officers on the board to make double-sure I am correct. </p>
<p>The family is on food stamps so her freshman son has an automatic zero EFC. He was just offered a part-time job and she is concerned about the effects on financial aid. </p>
<p>My understanding is that as long as they qualify for automatic zero, his income doesn't count. The problem is that his income might bump them out of food stamp range. In that case, as long as the parents' income (not family income, just parents' income) is under $31K/year, they still get automatic zero EFC and his income still doesn't count, right ? </p>
<p>If somehow, the parents' income goes over $31K, then the student's income over $5250 will be assessed. At what percentage is that? </p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions. They live very close to the edge and she really wants her kid to be able to go to college.</p>
<p>If they qualify for the automatic 0, then the student income will have no effect on the EFC. </p>
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Not necessarily. They must meet the income cut off ***and *** at least one of the other criteria. Other than food stamps (or other means tested benefits), the other criteria are that the parent must be eligible to file a 1040a or ez, or parent must be a dislocated worker. (I think the food stamps make you eligible, along with the income cut off, as long as you have received them in the past 2 years)</p>
<p>If the family is not eligible for the auto 0, 50% of student income over the protected allowance (plus allowances for any taxes, FICA etc) goes to the EFC.</p>
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<p>So for the 2012-2013 FAFSA I am guessing the food stamp eligibility would be met if food stamps were received during 2010 or 2011.</p>
<p>The income cut off has increased to $32,000 for the 2012-2013 FAFSA, and the student income protection is $6,000.</p>
<p>What a shame… people pass judgement and post without knowing what they’re talking about! </p>
<p>Actually, Medwell, the student isn’t hesitating to work. The parent is just trying to figure out how financial aid will be affected because a significant part of this boy’s earnings are going to support the household since mom is disabled, can’t work and there are younger sibs. They already know they will lose food stamps but the mom is hoping son can still go to college. The boy has close to a 4.0 but they are limited to local colleges because of family responsibilities.</p>