Single, Pregnant, and Paying for college?

Question

I live in Illinois. Where can I find information about financial assistance for school? I am 23 and still considered dependent because the baby is not here yet and I am technically single because the father and I are not yet married (engaged).

Answer 1

Blessings aren't always planned...good luck in school!

Answer 2

Go to the school that you want to attend and they should be able to help you. Ask to talk to an academic counselor and tell them your concerns/questions. That's what they are there for.

Answer 3

Well, there is potentially good news - but that's going to depend on your situation.

IF you are going to be able to provide more than 50 percent of the financial support for your child, you will already be classified as an independent student if the baby will be born during this academic year. Check the instructions for the FAFSA carefully, and you will see that you should list a child as a dependent if it will be born during the year that you are requesting financial aid for.

Remember, though - you must intend (and be able) to personally provide at least 50 percent of the financial support for the baby. If you have no income or assets, you're not going to be able to substantiate this claim. It doesn't count if your boyfriend is paying the bills - that makes him eligible to claim as an independent, but not you.

You didn't indicate what your financial situation is right now - I'm trying to read between the lines of your question, and I'm guessing that your parents aren't willing to help you out with school. I'm also going to go ahead and assume that when you file the FAFSA as a dependent (including your parents' income and assets), you're not qualifying for any need-based aid, like the Pell Grant.

If my guesses are correct, then your aid offer may consist only of eligibility to borrow from the Stafford Loan program. If you are a first year undergraduate, the maximum loan you will be offered is $5500.

If you're not going to qualify as an independent student with the baby alone - you will qualify next year, because the birthdate cutoff for next year will be January 1, 1986. At that point, you won't be required to include your parents' assets and income on your FAFSA - and you won't be able to include your boyfriend's either, unless you are married by then. With less income and assets available to you, your Expected Family Contribution should drop, and you may then find yourself qualified for need-based aid.

When you reach the classification of independent, you will also be qualified for a higher limit on your annual Stafford loan. If next year is your 2nd year of school, you would be eligible to borrow as much as $10,500 for the academic year.

Again, I'm trying to interpret your question and identify exactly what you are hoping to find out. If you are wondering whether there are special forms of financial aid available to single mothers whose parents aren't willing (or able) to help them with their college expenses, then the answer is no.

Illinois has a nice financial aid website that includes an audio-visual Power Point presentation that explains the financial aid process. You can find that here: http://www.collegezone.com/9827.htm

There is also a state and federal aid estimator that you can find here: http://www.illinoismentor.org/FinAid/wiz...

I hope that helps you, and I wish you the best of luck!

Edit: You are correct, that the FAFSA form itself is unclear on the "children" question, but here is the exact language from the financial aid handbook that financial aid departments receive from the Department of Education:

"Students who have legal dependents are independent. Legal dependents comprise children (including those who will be born before the end of the award year) of the student who receive more than half their support from the student, and other persons (except a spouse) who live with and receive more than half their support from the student as of the FAFSA signing date and will continue to do so for the award year. The same criteria apply to household size."

If you want to verify this further, contact the FAFSA hotline at 1-800-4-FedAid

Good luck!

Answer 4

Contact the institution -that you are applying to.

Why is a 23 year old a "dependent" and why is that a function of Marriage?

Even after you marry you're not considered a DEPENDENT.  I guess I'm confused why pregnancy or Marital status enters into your question.   True, your income won't be added to your future husband's income - until you marry - but then you will have the benefit of two incomes, right?  Unless you're not working.

Answer 5

There are ways for the school to consider you independent under special guidelines.  You may need to provide your old 1040s and if you aren't "obviously" pregnant :) they may ask for a statement from your doc.  Call or go by your financial aid office ASAP.  

Answer 6

tell the father to get a job quick and dont rely on others to pay for your lack of planning