Hello my name is Jeffrey. I just completed the fafsa but have some questions about the NJ TAG: I’m a US citizen but have lived in Guatemala all my life I moved to NJ one year ago which makes me a NJ resident, I’m trying to complete the NJ questions but I wasn’t here during 2016 so I don’t have any income information. I used to live with my parents while going full time to college(in Guatemala) now Im considered an Independent student since I’m 24yo. How can a fill out the questions? It asks for income information and I can’t put 0’s because my application won’t be processed. Is it possible to use Guatemalan expenses(housing, food, etc)? Do they extra verification? I tried emailing them but they don’t give much information. Any information you can provide me with will be greatly appreciated.
You need to report your income (if any), not expenses. If you had income in 2016 when you were in Guatemala, take that amount, convert it to U.S. dollars (if necessary), and report that on FAFSA as your 2016 income.
Thank you for answering. Actually I didn’t have any income because I didn’t work, I was a full time student my parents paid for all my expenses. So I can’t report any amount or I can ask my parents about food expenses and things like that but I’m considered independent now due to my age so I don’t know.
If you had NO income in 2016, then you put $0 for income. If you didn’t need work, your college will likely require a non-filers statement.
It’s OK to put $0 if your 2016 income was $0. You aren’t the only student who was a dependent of their parents in 2016 and had no student income, but now are completing a FAFSA as an independent student.
You might get selected for verification…but you will just need to provide documentation that your parents supported you…and you didn’t work.
Expenses (other than child support) are not reported on FAFSA. Don’t do it.
Perfect! Thanks guys. I now know how to file the NJ questions. I guess I’m going to need to get one of those non filing verification letters from the IRS but anyway, thank you so much.
OP, are you pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in the US? Or, are you looking at getting a graduate degree?
Did you register for selective service?
No, this is going to be my first bachelor’s degree. But I did 3 years of 5 in environmental engineer for personal reasons I moved here, so what I’m trying to do is to transfer to a NJ university
Yes, I registered for selective Service.