Well...I'm 16 years old and I just started this 2008-2009 school year as a senior. My family has been going through a lot of financial problems and I was thinking how much aid I could get from FAFSA. I'm not going to apply until Jan. 1 but I had a few questions.
1. I'm really confused and broke but I don't want that to stop me from going to NYU or at least a decent university. I have a 3.558 (unweighted)/ 4.825(weighted) GPA. I don't do clubs or sports (because I don't have money to pay dues or drive around to events) but I am active in my church. Does FAFSA consider this or are they strictly need based?
2. If my mom only makes about $950 a month, how much money will FAFSA give me?
3.. My dad used to live in Puerto Rico and used to make a lot of money. He would only give $500 as child support for me and my brother. Since my mom only makes $950 a month and rent costing $900 for a 3 bedroom apartment, $500 wasn't really a lot. Anyways, my dad has been unemployed for about 6 months so he had to move back to his native country, Dominican Republic. This means that he won't be filling out an income tax report again. Will FAFSA still ask me for his information even though he doesn't live in the country? I don't know how much money he makes over there. And my parents never went to court to establish the amount of money he had to give for child support. It was sort of a "verbal agreement".
3. Does FAFSA allow you to use the money as you wish or is it only for tuition and books? Can you use it for room & board/ meal plans?
4. Do they give you money per month or per semester?
5. Does the money go to you or does FAFSA pay the college directly?
6.What if I get a job (which is unlikely because no one will hire me because I have no experience)? Will I get slightly less aid?
7. I know I'm asking a lot but this is the last one. I have a hunch that my mom got married. She hasn't told me yet, but I'm pretty sure about it. I'm assuming that her husband has been paying our bills since my mom makes really little and my dad has been unemployed. Will FAFSA require me to give my mother's husband's information even though he doesn't live with us? I don't think he claims me as a dependent. I'm not sure how marital laws work. If he married my mom does that mean he's legally my stepdad? Would my mom have had to sign something for that to happen? Could she do that without my consent?
If anyone can answer even one of my questions it would be really appreciated.
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