friedpasta

(from my mom)

The teacher question - public employees in Ohio, including teachers, are required to contribute a percentage of pay to the state pension plan. There is no choice and it has nothing to do with collective bargaining. This is true of schools, libraries, county workers, etc.

kelsmom

SNM, there are MAJOR changes to the FAFSA this year. There is an entire section that addresses employment status. Those who are unemployed (and it clearly states only those who are unemployed NOT by choice) can check a displaced worker box.

bluebayou

friedpasta:

It has everything to do with collective bargaining. All union members HAVE a choice: they can vote the pension (and contribution) out if they so desire.

But, again every $100 your teacher mom (and thumper) put into a pension is exempt from fafsa, correct (this is a question bcos I don't really know), but that same $100 put into a 401(k) pension by a different teacher is added back to fafsa. Thus, the same $100 for retirement in is treated differentially by fafsa -- great if you are a government employee-union teacher but not great if you are non-union preschool teacher.

baker101460

thanks for the clarification on the federal means tested benefit issue in a previous post, kelsmom. i was not quite sure on that one. thanks again!!

wecandothis

Thank you for posting this. It is very difficult to find any official information about simplified needs test and automatic zero efc. I have been looking over the paper version of the fafsa and it isn't very clear about if you are eligible for either of these and which questions you can skip (presumably the questions about investments). Interestingly, it appears that a CD is considered and "investment" but money in a savings account is not..I also don't see any question about being a displaced worker on the fasa...

wecandothis

also where is the definition of "dislocated worker"?thx

swimcatsmom

Whether you can skip the questions can vary by State. For instance we had to complete the Asset information last year even though we qualified for the automatic zero. Other people have posted that they do not have to enter the information.

Money in a savings account would go under cash and savings account. CDs under investments. They are all treated the same, as assets, by the formula so I don't know why they are even listed separately.

The old FAFSA (2008-2009) did not have a dislocated worker question. I am not sure where it will be listed on the new one. There is a draft version floating around somewhere. I will see if I can find it.

swimcatsmom

google FAFSA on the web 2009-2010 and you should find a link to a powerpoint (I can't post a link because it just goes straight to downloading a power point). Page 28 has info on the dislocated worker rules.

"just"aMom

I got an error message when I clicked the link...

Sorry, the page you requested cannot be found.

"just"aMom

I should have kept reading the board...

swimcatsmom

see post #17

"just"aMom

"Dislocated Worker"...wow, I've been termed "single parent", "just a mom", and now "dislocated worker"...I bet there are thousands (hundreds of thousands?) that get that claim to fame for FAFSA this go 'round.

wecandothis

can anyone copy and paste the definition of displaced worker? I found it on the powerpoint but it would be nice to post it up for discussion. I was amazed to see that I may qualify as an underemployed "displaced homemaker". But if there are going to offer simplified needs to everyone in this dislocated category I think it is going to break the bank...

kelsmom

Wecandothis, are you recently divorced or widowed? That's the part of the displaced homemaker definition that keeps stay at home moms returning to the workforce from being considered a displaced homemaker ... I know, because I looked into receiving state benefits for displace homemakers. Actually, you have to be "no longer supported by the husband or wife." I think many schools will interpret that as divorced or widowed, although I can't speak for them.

Here is the link for the first draft fafsa: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/fafsa/attachm...s0910FAFSA.pdf There is also a link up & running for financial aid administrators to check out the new fafsa on the web. There are quite a few screens for dependency questions and dislocated/displaced worker questions. The nice part about fafsa on the web is that it's easier to answer questions than it is on the paper fafsa ... the explanations don't require looking through the document.

People are going to have to read the instructions very carefully. If they are verified and find out that they checked off a box incorrectly, they may have an unhappy adjustment made to their files. Documentation of layoff or termination - not separation by choice - is required. It's going to be a pain for all involved ... lots of paperwork to collect.

sueinphilly

http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcformulagui...aGuide0910.pdf

here is the complete guide