FAFSA score for single parents living with relatives?

Question

My daughter is nineteen and pregnant and wants to go back to school. Her current cosmetology license is not gonna well support her and the baby. She is good at it, but the job market is flooded with girls just like her.

She wants to go to college after having the baby.

Since she lives with me and her Mother is she stuck with our income or now that she will have a dependant? Does that change with her having a dependant?

Answer 1

yes it does change her situation.  If she answers "Yes" to any of these questions she no longer is required to report her parents income.

Answer 2

If she does not make enough money to support herself and the child she will have then she will may have to report the income of you and your wife.

Having a child does not always equal 'independent' for financial aid.  The key here is 'do you have a child/children that you support more than 51% financially.  It sounds like her answer will be no, thus leaving her dependent for educational purposes.

That said........if she receives any government assistance, ie; foodstamps, WIC, Medicaid for the baby.......that could be used in granting her a dependency override.  

Any financial aid officer worth their salt will dig deeply to see where she stands.

Good Luck.