<p>I do not intend to start a debate with this question. My family is new to the financial aid process. Is a family's tithe ever factored into an institution's financial aid calculations? That is, if a family feels lead to tithe and can document that they do so, do any colleges ever consider this as funds not available for college expenses? Is is worth sending a letter of explanation to college's financial aid officer in addition to the FAFSA?</p>
<p>Tithes would not be considered in calculations for federal or state funding, but Private Christian Instititutions might feel led to consider it for instititutional funding. You would have to speak to the Instititutions themselves to find out.</p>
<p>Thanks. I appreciate you reply. That's about what I expected.</p>
<p>If anyone has any personal experience from this sort of situation, I would be interested to hear from you - by PM if that's your preference.</p>
<p>deleted response misunderstood your question</p>
<p>I would write a special circumstances letter to the financial aid officer to explain your family's tradition, you may get a bit of a break, I think most schools would handle this on an individual case level. I do not think there are set rules on this issue.</p>
<p>For FAFSA tithing is specifically mentioned as being NOT eligible for treatment as a special circumstance for adjusting the EFC.</p>
<p>from <a href="http://www.finaid.org/educators/pj/specialcircumstances.phtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.finaid.org/educators/pj/specialcircumstances.phtml</a></p>
<p>
[quote]
The Counselor's Handbook gives examples of situations that do not count as special circumstances, identifying them as contrary to the law's intent. These include:</p>
<pre><code>* Vacation expenses.
* Tithing expenses.
* Standard living expenses (e.g., utilities, credit card expenses, children's allowances, etc.).
[/quote]
</code></pre>
<p>I suspect most schools will follow the same standard. As Nikkil mentioned private Christian schools might make exceptions though those my D looked at gave certain amounts in grants to students of the schools particular faith which makes me think they probably would not make further adjustments. But I am not speaking from actual experience.</p>
<p>Yeah, finally something fair in the FA world. </p>
<p>Money to the church is counted as income. whatta concept. </p>
<p>Your tithe and my pretax retirement contributions counted as income that we could access if we wanted to.</p>
<p>thank goodness church and government are still separate somewhere.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, thanks for the helpful link. I've been to that web site, but hadn't found that page yet. Very useful!</p>
<p>You're welcome. :) I have found the finaid web site to contain tons of useful and, generally, up to date information. Sometimes I have to try various wording in the search function but mostly I end up finding information on what I am looking for. Someone must spend a ton of time keeping that site up.</p>
<p>Hmmmm...Charitable donations are deductible and thus bring down adjusted gross income. So why wouldn't the deductions affect financial aid?</p>
<p>I think that it is interesting that they list a parent enrolled in college at least 1/2 time as an extenduating circumstance. I had read many times on cc that it would be financially helpful to the parent to have child enrolled in college, but having a parent in college would not help the student's efc.</p>
<p>Northeasternmom - I had read that you cannot list a parent attending college on FAFSA but that is can be considered a special circumstance as long as certain criteria are met that show the parent is seriously in school - not just doing it to up their kid's finaid - so job retraining, getting a first degree etc So if someone has a masters and signs up for a few fluff classes it will not be considered (I guess some people were doing that so they had to make stricter rules). I think it also it very dependant on the individual schools whether they are willing to consider it. Nikkil may be able to add further insight if she is around.</p>
<p>momfromme - I think (though it is a few months since we did our taxes) that itemised deductions come off after the AGI so, while reducing your taxable income, do not reduce your AGI.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom is correct. Charitable contributions are an itemized deduction, therefore they reduce your tax, but do not reduce your AGI.</p>
<p>OK, thanks. I have the easy tax situation in the family, so don't do the form. But I appreciate the information!</p>
<p>Perhaps someone knows if any profile schools take charitable deductions into account.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Perhaps someone knows if any profile schools take charitable deductions into account.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>most of the time these group of people come under the title of developmental cases (and they give big $$$$$$$$ to the colleges) ;)</p>
<p>Re: the big givers to universities -- Got that! </p>
<p>But what about for the mere mortals among us who have charitable contributions to our local religious organizations, disaster assistance groups, arts associations, etc.?</p>
<p>try Christian Colleges. Maybe they would give consideration that you gave a large sum of money to your church.</p>
<p>I've never seen charitable deductions considered in the financial aid stuff we've done. And it makes sense. This might not be the time in one's life when on can afford to be charitable.</p>
<p>Weenie- the things is that many followers of Christianity (maybe other religions as well) believe that the Bible tells us to give 10 percent of our income so for those it is not about being able to afford to be charitable it is about religious conviction so even if it may be financially better in the world's eyes not to give money away, it is what they feel they are supposed to do. Sadly, I don't think any college unless it is a Christian college will care about where you donated money. Just my opinion.</p>