Nephew w/Parents with no income

Paying for College
1

<p>My 20 yr old Nephew who has lived with his Great Aunt since he was 15 until she passed away last February wants to go to school but is not sure what to use for income on his FAFSA. He did not have a job for any amount of time in 2011 and neither of his parents have had an income for the past 5 years. He wants to go to school and has been looking everywhere for employment. I told him unless his great aunt had legal custody of him he needs to use his parents income and list it as zero since that’s what it was but, I’m not sure if I’m telling him correctly. It’s hard to help 1000 miles away. His 15 yr old brother is in foster care. Please Help!</p>

2

<p>One thing that he can do, is schedule a visit to the admissions and counseling office at the closest community college. While he is there, he should ask specifically about financial aid for students in his situation. They will have useful ideas.</p>

3

<p>I would think using his parents info, he should qualify for the Pell, which would help him afford community college. That would be the best place to start. Then, he may qualify for a program with a state school that gives great aid to grads of community colleges.</p>

4

<p>He should use his parents income. Because even though he lived with his aunt he is his parents dependent and this should also qualify him for maximum PELL and state funded aid.</p>

5

<p>If his brother is in foster care then it is a pretty good chance that the aunt had legal custody and he was under the jurisdiction of the state DSS. The parental rights might have also been revoked and/or terminated. If he was under DSS, then he is not under his parents and he can declare as emancipated. Furthermore, DSS has programs to help the child transition, even if he is over 20 and not under their direct supervision, as long he is under 21. Many states also have special fee and tuition waivers and scholarships for kids that grew up in foster care. It would be better for him to pursue being independent as the parents may be receiving welfare benefits that still have a monetary value.</p>