<p>Hi, I am an upcoming senior and am having trouble in terms of what I should put when applying for financial aid. My father was the only one who worked in my family but was making less than $15,000 a year. In 9th grade, he left my family (not as sad as it seems) and moved to another country. After years of struggling, my parents finally had an offical divorce a couple months ago. I have 3 other sibilings, all over the age of 18, so I am the only one who qualifies for child support. The only problem is that he refuses to pay it despite it being a mere $70 bucks a month. So basically my family and I lived off my sibilings’ who now have jobs. So, in terms of income, where am I at? Would my sibilings’ jobs be considered apart of the income, despite most of it being used for their own education? I just don’t want to lose an oppurunity at financial coverage. Thanks to all who help and who read this somewhat depression yet not really post! </p>
<p>I just realized I put “diagnosis” instead of “diagnose”. Grammar natzis, please don’t stone me.</p>
<p>Do you have US citizenship or a green card? Is your mother alive? Is she your custodial parent?</p>
<p>In most cases like yours, your mother is the custodial parent and HER income goes on the parent part of FAFSA. Your father’s financials do NOT come up on FAFSA. Your mother’s income, including non earned income given to her by your siblings would be listed as such. Only what your siblings give your mother and to you are reported as unearned income. Not what they use for themselves. </p>
<p>For schools that also require PROFILE and require NCP(your father) to also send in info, you probably should try to file for a NCP waiver which has to be done for each such school to which you apply. Each school will tell you what they need to see (usually statements from school, doctor, minister) about your father’s desertion, lack of support and presence in your life for however long ago. </p>
<p>No, the money given to the mother by the siblings for living expenses is not included on the FAFSA. It’s only students who have to put money paid on their behalf on the FAFSA - and then it’s only if it is used to pay bills that are in the student’s name - yes, if the siblings were actually paying for college, that money would be reported the next year on the FAFSA, but any money they are providing to the family itself (like paying for the student’s food, etc at home) does not count. If the student is selected for verification, the mother may need to explain that the siblings are assisting with the costs of living for the family. I saw this quite often at the urban U where I used to work … it is not uncommon in certain ethnic communities for the children to support their mothers and siblings. </p>