Cartagena

Hello everyone - I am on a tricky situation, and looking for opinions.

I am not sure on what I can do, I filled out my FASFA diligently, but circumstances have changed. Due to the economy everyone at my job got laid off last week, as the company has gone bankrupt. Now, I am scrambling to get a job again asap. So these are my questions:

- My economic circumstances have changed from the start of the year, so I am wondering if there is something I can do about FASFA? Can it be modified?

- Another member of my family is about to start college, would it be possible that I change my FASFA now to reflect this?

- I applied to my dream school and recently found out got in, but I filled out my FASFA for my community college (the one I'm attending to) Can I include my dream school now?? I was planning to go on the Spring 2013.

- Also, I have always filled out my FASFA as dependent, but my family contribution is 0. Should I start filing as an independent? or a dependent?
Should I have filed as independent with the 13k I made last year? or stick as dependent with my mom and her income? (29k)


Other details:
I am single and have no kids and I am 21.
Currently I do not have a job though I made 13k last year.
I am a first Generation Latina.
My family has never been on any social welfare program.
I participate on community service.
My family has 3 members.
My mother makes 29k a year, so she can't really help me with school so her contribution is $0, (even though she wishes she could help ).
I currently hold a 3.6 GPA.


Thank you - I am a little bit confused as I find a lot of contradicting information on whether independent or dependent would be best...

swimcatsmom

You can ask your school to do a professional judgement to reflect your change in circumstances. It is at their discretion whether they do so or not.

If one of the family members reported as a member of household will be attending school this fall, your FAFSA should be corrected to reflect this, as long as it is not your parent.

Yes, you can add your new school to FAFSA.

You are a dependent for FA purposes until you turn 24 unless you meet one of the other criteria for being independent =are married, a veteran, going to grad school etc. Filing as independent is not a choice you get to make - it is based on the answers to a series of dependency questions on FAFSA - earning your own income does not make you independent.

thumper1

Agree with swimcatsmom...but have some questions.

You were working full time it seems....earned $13K. Did you plan to continue working when you were in college in the spring 2013? Do you have any of it in savings to be used towards college.

If it is a sibling, yes. Otherwise, no.

When you filed your FAFSA, why didn't you include ALL the schools to which you were applying? Yes, you can add the dream school. Is this school remotely affordable? It looks like you are a transfer student...does your dream school give grant aid to transfer students for the spring semester? How much money are you looking for...unless the school meets full need, you may not get enough money. If the school meets full need, you might want to see what other things are required for financial aid consideration. Does this school require the CSS Profile or a school form? And check the DEADLINES.

You can't file as independent.

kelsmom

If your family contribution is 0 on the FAFSA, the fact that you lost your job won't make any difference in your aid. 0 is as low as it goes, and your aid package was based on that (unless I am misunderstanding your statement ...).

swimcatsmom

^^^I wondered about that, but as the OP had income of $13k and the parent income was too high for the auto 0 EFC, I thought perhaps he did not have a 0 EFC but was saying the parent contributes $0 (understandable on a $29k income)

Cartagena

First of all Thank you so much for your answers! I wish my schools advisors were as helpful as you guys are.

@swimcatsmom I was working part-time (always kept me below 40 to not give me benefits/insurance) I am planning to get another job as soon as I can, I help around my house with rent, so a job is a must atm.

I did not include my dream school because when I asked on finaid at my CC I was told that they would only count my CC as it was the one I was enrolled with. Not the first time they have been wrong,so I started to look on my own.

" It looks like you are a transfer student...does your dream school give grant aid to transfer students for the spring semester? How much money are you looking for...unless the school meets full need, you may not get enough money. If the school meets full need, you might want to see what other things are required for financial aid consideration. Does this school require the CSS Profile or a school form? And check the DEADLINES."

I am looking to cover full tuition or as close as I can get, and the school gives a grant to transfer students and I think that will help a lot. Thank you for your advice!!! I think you steered me on the right direction!!

Another question : My step-dad recently suffered a car accident (he was impacted by a drunk driver) that put him on disability as he was a bus driver, so he cannot longer work due to permanent spine damage. My mom and him did taxes separate this year, but we are wondering if doing them together would be prejudicial for my FASFA since he is disabled?

I'm sorry if my questions seem quite naive, I am the first one to go to college and there is so much I ignore. Again thank you guys, or I would be lost at sea.

swimcatsmom

It makes no difference whether they do their taxes separately or together. You are required to report both your Mom and your stepdad's income and assets on FAFSA. FAFSA treats a step parent the same as a birth parent. Did you include your stepdad on your FAFSA? You only mention your mom in your first post.

If this accident will cause your family's income to be reduced compared to what was reported on FAFSA, be sure to talk to the school about this as it may be something they can make an adjustment for. Also if there are related medical bills that are uncovered by insurance, ask the school if these may also have an impact.

somemom

If you are working a lot now and will NOT be when you begin school, you need to ask for professional judgment on that, so that they do not expect your to have that $13k available for educational expenses.

kelsmom

Again, if the EFC is 0, none of this will make any difference. 0 is as low as it goes. Maybe I misunderstood, but OP did say the family contribution is 0 ...