Hamlin…is this about you? I thought you were just curious.
If you want info about YOUR financial,aid situation, perhaps a new thread about that would be in order…instead of piggy backing on a thread with the title about how kids afford Ivies.
How many people are in your household? Based on what you wrote because opportunity programs look at income and assets of both parents you would not be eligible for Seek EOP or HEOP
This is all very confusing. You need a core understanding of how finaid works at generous schools - and what, if anything- can come from others. (Even general online sites will explain.) It doesn’t sound like you ran a NPC (Net Price Calculator,) nor that you properly assessed your “chances” with the GPA - and whatever that SAT is.
I think, at this point, that your best shot is a community college you can afford, improve the GPA. Results first, not all these various hypotheticals. Then see what’s possible. There is no point making this complicated. We get that you want a good college opportunity. But you have to understand how they view your record.
And just taking a college class this year won’t turn you into a transfer student. Nor will one class help much. Transfer is generally when you enroll somewhere as a degree-seeking student. You have to read what any college says about finaid, qualifications, etc.
You may want to officially enroll in a cc, so you can aim for a fresh full - and better- record. If you do want to transfer, you then have to read up on what those future targets say about applying and status and finaid for transfers.
None of this is as easy as what one “wants.”
@thumper1 I wasn’t the one who asked. My question has finally been answered, others are just raising some for my circumstance, I’m solely answering. I’ve got 4 years left to worry about my circumstance, besides, there is nothing wrong with using yourself as an example to understand better.
@lookingforward I just did previously, I was only confirming my suspicions. I understood Federal Grants and scholarships just had a little problem with the “what ifs” and what not. I understand my situation pretty well I think. As for the decision recommendation regard to my post about gap year. I explained everything relatively well, besides this thread should be done and it’s sort of ingermane.
You stated that your parents are separated and there is a family business. The net price calculator will not be accurate for your situation
@sybbie719 I have an EFC of 0 . 3 in household. Custodial Parent earns 22k, noncustodial.(not included in household)Approved of Seek, Eop, heop and earned cap of federal grants on TAP and FAFSA. I am eligible, I was simple curious about scholarships 
While you may have a 0 EFc based on information from your custodial parent, it is highly unlikely that you are going to be eligible for opportunity programs because they ask for nonCustodial parent information or a noncustodial parent waiver
I addition the monies that you receive for your disability while they nay not be required for the fafsa are required to be reported for opportunity programs
@sybbie719 Interesting. So you answered my second question! Thank you so much. Would it make that big of an impact? Actually, I don’t think I’ll be receiving FAFSA for a while parents are going together, mother is getting a promotion of up to 110k ~ so I might as well kiss those grants goodbye. Thank you for your help @sybbie719 !! 
@Hamlin
You don’t “receive” fafsa. The FAFSA is a financial aid application form. The FAFSA itself gives you nothing. The information on the FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federally funded need based aid primarily. Some schools use the information to calculate how they will award their institutional aid.
ETA…was this whole thread a hypothetical situation…since you are now saying that your parents are together?
@thumper1 Correct, I didn’t make myself clear. The federal subsidies was what I was referring to, but you understood I was referring to PELL and TAP.
My parents have always been together but in the court of law they are separated, not sure why… didn’t bother asking. This thread was to answer the question “How do low-income students afford Ivies? Is it possible for me to get scholarships?” twoinanddone answered the first while sybbie719 answered the second, won’t be commenting anymore since they and (a couple of others) helped me. Keeping track of my families documentation in IRS is difficult because many things are always changing. Some information isn’t accurate, some is. I tried to tell them to clear everything up but they neglect it. I tried giving you all what I do know, and not giving too much to maintain anonymity.
P.S: This thread was first created out of curiosity, like I said earlier and since my situation is “complicated” so I required a bit more information than a typical middle class student, after learning on various things I decided to apply it to myself as I perhaps may be interested in the future, not the present. I’ve got much more important things to worry about as of now than scholarships, number one being that I attend a college or not for 2015-2016 year.
Even if the IRS considers them legally separated, the FAFSA may not. If your two biological (or legal if adopted) parents live together and you live with them, there is a category for that on FAFSA. Two never married parents who live together, same status on FAFSA but different for IRS.
Be very careful how you answer the questions.
Just FYI…even if your parents are divorced or were never married…if they are living in the same house with you, BOTH need to be included on the FAFSA. Did you know that?
You have been portraying yourself on this and multiple threads as a low income student when in fact, your parent earns $100,000 plus. Sorry, but that is very disingenuous.
@twoinanddone Interesting, I beg your pardon for leaving my posts ambiguous. My parents are separated (as filed) and live separately (as filed). Thank you for your help.
@thumper1 Where did you come up with $100,000? My parents earn approximately half of that overall give or take a few thousand, if they did earn 100,000 I wouldn’t need to work. I did know that, and I did include them both on the FAFSA report, if I didn’t I wouldn’t earn the awards according to other sources. I thought I made it clear that my custodial parent reported 22k and (although I didn’t say it) my noncustodial parent makes less. My parents supplied me with false information on the “7k” thing, the subsidies are much lower than that but I reach 560 from time to time. PM me if you want to continue solving this thing, I’m entirely confused on my circumstance and my parents keep changing their answers. However my question was answered and now my answer was questioned…
@Hamlin post 28, written by you in this thread.
So which is it…are your parents together…or not? Will your mom earn $110k or not?
There is absolutely no way to give you a decent answer via this forum or PM without consistent and accurate information. Your posts don’t provide that.
What do you mean by: your parents are together? Do they live together? If not, how are they “together”?
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Parents are separated in the court of law and I don't report income due to it being "family business". <<<
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Why do you think that you don’t include income from a family business???
This thread seems pointless! OP’s changing ‘facts’ and hypothetical (or are they?) questions.
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Where did you come up with $100,000? My parents earn approximately half of that overall give or take a few thousand, if they did earn 100,000 I wouldn’t need to work.
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@Hamlin Are you well? You are the one who wrote that:
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Actually, I don't think I'll be receiving FAFSA for a while parents are going together, mother is getting a promotion of up to 110k ~ so I might as well kiss those grants goodbye.
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It’s getting to the point where you’re “telling stories” and you don’t remember what tall tales you’ve told.
Try sticking to the truth and you’ll get better answers.
And who are the three members of your household? You need to include BOTH parents if they are living there. BOTH. Doesn’t matter what their marital status is. If your mom is getting a promotion to $110k, it is highly unlikely she earns so small an amount now that you are Pell eligible.
And yes, you need to report income from a family business if it is owned by your family.
I want to make $22k and then get a promotion to $110k - where can I apply? What kind of job is this?