Trust fund and FA

sk8rmom
Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:40:25 +0000

I’d note that in addition to the potential issues with the non-custodial parent, the OP said her sister had “erratic income as an artist.” That mean she probably has self-employment income, requiring her to file a schedule C & disqualifying her from the simplified needs test.



Calmom, just a slight correction on the simplified needs test for drb’s benefit (and other readers). Simplified needs has three different qualifiers and a common income requirement (income under $49,999). Filing a schedule C does not mean you can’t qualify, only that one of the other qualifiers must be used. For this year, the qualifiers are:



Anyone included in the parents’ household size (as defined on the FAFSA) received benefits during 2007 or 2008 from any of the designated means-tested Federal benefit programs: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, the Food Stamp Program, the Free and Reduced Price School Lunch Program, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); OR

the student’s parents filed or are eligible to file a 2008 IRS Form 1040A or
1040EZ (they are not required to file a 2008 Form 1040)1, or the parents are not
required to file any income tax return; OR

the student’s parent is a dislocated worker.