<p>So, I have been in school a total of almost two years with a 6 month or so break in between switching schools. I just finished my first semester at a new school. Before the semester started, I had the issue of the school changing my fafsa, specifically changing my mom's income to a higher number. This of course, was incorrect and when I asked the financial aid office about this, the woman told me that "no one lives on nothing." It is also included in my fafsa that my mother is exempt. Apparently, this didn't matter because the school still wanted her tax return. Finally, I was able to fill out a verification form and have my mother sign it which stated her income and exempt status. This then corrected things. So, the semester is over and now it's time to get ready for next year's financial aid. Guess what!? They changed it again! She receives under 7,000 a year in disability. She is permanently disabled and will always be exempt and receive the same amount unless she gets an increase, which she has not. So, they changed my mother's income on my FAFSA to over 20,000! She does not make this much money!!!! They also want.... you guest it - her tax return! I really wish that there was a way for me to block them from making changes without my specific approval to make the change. This is not a correction... They are just changing her income because "no one lives on nothing."</p>
<p>The obvious question is what does your mom live on? Is there a housing allowance or something similar to assist her? Some assets that pay a return? And does she provide for you or are you living with someone else? Under some circumstances, they are allowed to make certain limited changes, up or down, but usually have some defensible reason. And, is this a Fafsa-only school?</p>
<p>What school is this??? </p>
<p>Financial aid officers not only can, but must change information on the FAFSA if they find out that it is incorrect. However, they must also do it within federal guidelines.</p>
<p>Of course, I do not have access to all of your information. However, what you post does not sound like it should be happening. Any money your mother receives from federal programs that is not required to be reported as income on a tax return … Social Security/SSDI, housing assistance, food assistance … is not to be included on the FAFSA as income. If your mother receives PRIVATE disability income, that DOES get included as untaxed income on the FAFSA. The school cannot just pull income out of thin air. </p>
<p>Please log onto [Home</a> - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.gov%5DHome”>http://www.fafsa.gov) and look at your latest FAFSA. Under parent income information, write down all amounts in the income section, including untaxed. Post it here or PM me. I will try to help you. I worked in finaid until recently.</p>
<p>I would suggest calling FAFSA and asking them about this. If the rep there seems unsure, or you feel unsure about their answer, ask to speak with a supervisor, or call again until you feel you’re speaking with someone who sounds knowledgeable.</p>
<p>The folks at FAFSA are helpful, but they are not trained in federal regulations. Schools absolutely have the right to make changes. No one at FAFSA will question the school’s changes, as they do not have access to the information the school has.</p>
<p>Since I actually do have experience as an aid advisor who is well-versed in federal regulations, I welcome the OP’s information so I can at least offer input/suggestions.</p>