I’ve been living with two disabled parents since I was six years old. They only make roughly $12,000 a year, and as many of us know, that isn’t much. I haven’t gotten new clothes in about three years, so I’m threadbare in my jeans. Is there any way I can buy clothes with FAFSA? I’d rather not go naked to school, lol.
FAFSA is a form you fill out. Low income students qualify for a federal Pell grant of up to ~$5k/year and can borrow ~$5500/year. It’s awarded by semester, so you might get ~$5250/semester. The grant & loan are sent directly to the college to cover direct costs (tuition, room & board, fees). Unless you attend cc, $10k/year won’t be enough to cover tuition. If there’s a balance after the direct costs have been covered, you’ll likely get it as a refund several weeks after the semester starts. You can spend it how you want, but make sure you have transportation & book costs covered.
What are your stats? Do you qualify for merit aid anywhere?
What state are you in? Are you able to work at all?
Answer th above Q’s and we can help.
Also…why aren’t you working?
My son and older daughter buy just about all their own clothes with their own money. Both have been working since they were 15. (We still buy all my 14 year old daughter’s stuff.)
Lots of places are hiring-- between the loss of kids to college a few weeks ago, and the upcoming need for Christmas help. I know Target is looking to hire something like 12,000 people nationwide as Christmas help. You can apply on their website.
And you can get some really nice and inexpensive clothes at resale shops too.
Gosh, why jump on a new poster that way…she/he obviously needs real advice about the college app and financial aid process and instead gets “you should be working.” If this kid’s parents only make $12K, maybe every penny she/he earns goes toward the household. Maybe there are other circumstances we don’t know about (and don’t have to know) that preclude employment. The focus should be on getting this student up to speed on how to get financial aid for college, and we don’t want to scare him or her off.
Pell grants and federal loans are paid directly to the college.
OP it sounds like you are in a very challenging situation. There are posters on this website who can help you. I am glad you took the step of posting your first thread. As for the clothes, I am not sure what to say but there are many other thoughts that come to mind.
First, as others have noted, FAFSA is not financial aid. It is a form you fill out for schools to use as a tool to determine what aid they will give you. Some schools really follow it and others don’t.
It seems like you might want to back up and give more info about your general college search. What state are you in? Your year? What ideas do you have for a career or a major? There is a lot you could share so that you could get some good advice.
In the meantime I suggest you spend some time researching on this website, and keep coming back to let us know how it is going.
OP, I understand your dilemma. That’s only slightly under what my parents were making when I started college. I had been working since my mid-teens but almost all of my money went to help pay family bills.
Are you in high school or college? If college, do you know that you have a refund coming (is your aid greater than the billed costs of your school)?
If so, and they won’t release the funds to you for several weeks, see if there is a low-interest or no-interest loan from your school’s FA department. I did this at the beginning of every semester as an undergrad in order to afford my textbooks.
Are you entering college now…or are you still in high school? If in HS, what year are you?
As noted above, financial aid you receive from colleges will be used to pay the college for billable costs first. These include tuition, fees, room and board, and sometimes health insurance. IF there is money left from your aid after these bills are paid, you would get a refund from your school of the overage. That money can be used for anything you choose, and yes, this could include clothing, books, and other personal expenses.
With $12,000 income, you would,likely qualify for an auto $0 EFC when you complete the fafsa. Any chance you qualify for free or reduced lunch or SNAP? Or do your oarents do a 1040 A tax form? If so, with an auto $0 EFC, you would get the maximum Pell Grant of $5900. You would be able to take a Direct Loan if $5500 in your name only.
Does your state have any need based aid for low income students? Check to see. It’s possible that you would get this as well.
Where do you plan to go to college? The Pell and Direct Loan will cover the costs at a community college of you commute, but probably not at a residential college.
What is your GPA, and SAT or ACT score?
Is there a college within commuting distance of your home?
Do you have any other relatives who will be helping you navigate the college application process?