Financial aid verification. Is this a good estimate of support I received?

Question

I recently filled out a FAFSA. Then my university had me filled out a verification worksheet. I sent it in but it was mailed back to me. They needed the means of support for 2007 and an amount. Well, I am 24 so I am classified as independent. However, I still live with my parents so they support me. The financial office told me I can estimate the amount of support I received in 2007. Support can include gas, food, etc. I have other siblings too.

I can't really give an estimate. My parents won't even know how much they supported me because they don't keep a record of that. So is $3000 a good estimate? Why not $4000, $6000, or even as low as $1000?

Answer 1

A friend of mine was in a similar situation.  He lived with his elderly grandparents because they needed help but they didn't pay him.  Here's a copy of the letter he turned in explaining his support, with names and addresses removed of course..  The school accepted it and gave him full financial aid...

To Whom it May Concern:

My grandson, xxxxx, lives with my husband and myself in our home at xxxx, Little Rock, Arkansas.  He says here rent free and in return he drives us to our doctor’s appointments, goes to the store for us, cooks our meals, etc.

Here is a list of the living expenses we pay on xxxx’s behalf.  As there are three people in our household I came up with these numbers by assuming that xxxx’s share would be a third of all our household bills.  We do no give him any money, we simply pay our bills as we would even if he did not live with us.  Please note that we own our home, and have no rent or mortgage payment.

Food: $25 per week = $1300 per year

Electricity: $100 per month average.  1/3 = $33 per month = $396 per year.

Natural Gas: $30 per month average.  1/3 = $10 per month = $120 per year.

Water: $45 per month average = 1/3 = $15 per month = $180 per year.

Phone: $35 per month average = 1/3 = $12 per month = $144 per year.

Cable TV: $35 per month = 1/3 = $12 per month = $144 per year.

This totals $2284 per year.

To my knowledge his only other expenses are his cell phone, car insurance, internet access, and gas for his car.  He pays these himself by doing odd jobs and independent computer work.  

Signed,

xxxx

xxxx

Little Rock, AR  72223

501-868-xxxx