Student Aid? FAFSA?

Question

Okay so I'll fill out the FAFSA form thing next year for college, but I have a question. If my parents nor I fill taxes next year can I still fill it out. Because my dad just lost his job so neither of my parents are working and won't file for work next year. Can I still get financial aid?

Answer 1

Some colleges do not look at what a student needs for $, while other colleges are "needs based" - the college "gives" you what you need with a financial aid package combining loans, grants, scholarships and work-study.  If you are looking into several colleges, check out them on college board.com.  to known what they need for information.  It was different for all three colleges that my son applied to.  

Also, just in case you haven't heard this - it is important to get your pin # for the FASFA before January 2009.  Your parents will need one also.  Go to the FASFA web site in November 2008 and apply for the pin #'s - it takes a week or two to get them via email.  You need the pins to complete the FASFA - which you can do after January 1, 2009.  We do ours early.  Some colleges have limited $ of grants and scholarships.

Best of luck and keep the grades strong - it really does make a difference in receiving scholarship money from colleges and through area businesses.

Answer 2

You can but they will ask you to verify with them how there is no income coming into your home.

Answer 3

You can still complete the FAFSA and you need to!! It will ask if your parents file a tax return, and you will check that they did not file.  However, you will be required to prove to your school from where your family receives support.  It is impossible for your family to live on no income.  You will most likely have to show proof of how much your housing payment (rent or mortgage) is and then show the source from which your housing payment is made.  You will also have to show proof of how much your utility bills are and the source by which these are paid, same for food, insurance, ect.  

Just because your parents are not working does not mean they will not file a tax return.  They may not file, but if they receive unemployment, draw from a retirement fund or received a severance when they lost their job, they may still be required to file. If your dad just lost his job, then he may be required to file for the couple of months that he worked.  And hopefully your parents will be able to find employment before the end of this year.  

Good luck with college!

Answer 4

Are your parents not planning on getting jobs at all?  Who's money is paying the bills?  

On the fafsa there is a question that asks if you are going to file or not.. you would just select "Will not file" if that is the case and enter the rest of the information about the family income.

Simple!

Answer 5

Most definitely. If they don't work you will more than likely  receive financial aid and plenty of it but they will ask for verification of income and such.

*Cheers*