are there grants for kids whose father never paid child support and whose mom never got on welfare?

Question

my parents got devorced when i was 2 and my mom never got put on welfare she just worked up to 3 jobs my dad never paid child support and has been put into prison twice (for not paying child support) but still doesnt pay child support the government isnt doing anything about it so i was wondering if there are any grants/scholarships out there that i can apply for because i need money for college-- my mom has remarried now so will that effect anything?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, your financial aid package is based on who lives in your household including your step father and any step siblings. Depending on his income, it can effect your financial aid if he earns a lot. I know this does not sound fair since your mom struggled for so long, and legally, a step father's income is not supposed to count in child support and legal matters. However, do not let this stop you from applying for financial aid. I recommend applying for everything you qualify for consideration no matter the amount. I will include some free resources to locate money for college.

First, the FAFSA form will qualify a person for grants, work study program, student loans, and college need based scholarships. The amount given is based on a formula of how many are in the household (attending college or not) and mortgage along with a percentage of the household savings and income along with your income and savings. Your income counts more percentage wise than your mom's and step dad's income and savings. This should be completed every year in January or early February until college graduation.

Second, many states have grants and scholarships for students with good grades. Use Google.com and Yahoo.com for these grants. Also, your high school guidance counselor might have a list.

Third, your high school guidance office has a list of local scholarships and applications. These scholarships have less competition than a national one.

Fourth, the local public library has a book listing scholarships with some not even listed on the web.

Finally, join several free membership scholarship search websites. There is a form to complete to help narrow down your scholarship search to scholarhsips you qualify for consideration. In addition, there are scholarships for almost anything out there including wearing duct tape to the high school prom.

Good luck!

Answer 2

That's a tough one to answer. The unfortunate problem is that you mom had to work those three jobs early on, so she was making an income, and as bad as this sounds the government will not hand out grants to someone if their income went above a certain level. Even if the income may have been just enough to cover living expenses with no option to save on the side, if she made at least a certain income amount it could disqualify you for grants. Plus you now have your mom remarried, so there's the double income factor that's coming into play now, further hindering your chances. Plus if you're currently working then that further hampens your chances. (I should know from all this because I was in a similar situation of yours, and because my mom and myself made certain incomes out of having to work to support ourselves, I was disqualified from any grants).

It's bad isn't it. It's as if the system right now punishes those who work to support themselves, and instead rewards others who either choose not to work or are on welfare programs and such with those grants.

The best way to find out is fill out your FAFSA report and the EFC number there will tell you if you qualify for grants. If it's a really low number, you'll be set. If it's a really high number, you'll pretty much have to go with loans. Hope this info helps you out and good luck.

Answer 3

You get college money based on several factors: family income, your grades, and any talents you have (ball player, musician, etc.)

Grants are usually need-based, so it depends on your family income. If your mom has re-married, that could affect it, but you need to talk to a high school guidance counselor and find out.

You need to apply for Federal financial aid. Your high school guidance office will have those forms.

You need to talk to whatever colleges you're applying to and find out what funds they have. Most of them offer financial aid packages (grants, loans, scholarships, work study).

The only way you'll know what's out there is to start doing the work and asking questions.

There are literally thousands of different grants, scholarships, etc.

Answer 4

Kassie,
b4 ur go chasing college or even cash support suggest u read and understand
'48 days to work you love' d. miller. plenty of cash resources. will help u sort out what u want to be after school and show some good cash source.
helped me on last retraining.