Important Question About Getting Financial Aid
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
United States
December 22, 2008 5:08am CST
I am going to be applying to the FAFSA for financial aid in January when the new application is up...but I have a question about it first. I know when getting financial aid they ALWAYS ask how much your family makes a year, to see if you really need the money help.
What I want to know is, can I just put how much I make a year? I am pretty much independent-I live at home but that's pretty much it. I pay for my things and make my own choices. And my parents aren't going to be able to help me with college payments-they make a good amount but they also pay for a lot of things monthly and have a lot of costs to worry about, so I just personally think how much they make shouldn't be a factor when I am trying to get financial help for MY schooling.
I just don't want to get in trouble for only saying what I make a year on the form if we are suppose to say what the household makes.
Thanks!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Dec 08
I would talk to the school about this or a financial counselor. I would assume that your parent's salary would have to be included, but they would also consider certain things such as mortgage, car payments, utilities, and food to be off the table as well as loan payments. And they probably have a chart to determine the average a family with your income makes and what they spend it on.
I never applied for tuition, but I know when we wanted a loan, we had to list everything, plus credit card payments, and that.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
22 Dec 08
I would suggest you call the school office and talk to someone who knows about this kind of situation. Am sure you are not totally unique with this sort of situation. I wouldn't think the income your parents earn would have anything to do with your financial aid but it might vary from state to state.
Good luck in school,
carolbee
