Can college bound son qualify for full college grants if he lives with retired grandparents who are low income

Question

I am single mom with 16yr old son who graduates from hs next school year. He plans to go to college in the fall of 2009. I have no money to pay for his education. I barely make ends meet today. School counselor says that even though I'm broke, I'm still receiving income. No one understand that all $$ goes to bills etc. Father been absent since day 1 so no child support. My parents no longer file for income tax return because they're both retired and on social security. Would my son's chances increase to qualify for college grants if I say he lives with my parents? I would not claim him in my tax return to avoid possible problems. What do you think?

Answer 1

It is not a good idea to lie on FAFSA documents, but you would be amazed at how many people do qualify for financial aid. I only know of one case who did not, but it was an extreme case. However, the one case is an exception to the rule. I do recommend you applying. I will include some resources to locate college tuition money.

First, your high school guidance office has a list of local scholarships for its students to apply for consideration. These are the easiest to obtain compared to the national based scholarship competitions.

Second, 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. You fill out a profile, and they will search for scholarships matching your profile. There is a scholarship for almost anything out there including wearing duct tape to the prom. There is a scholarship at Halloween.com.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It doesn't matter where your son lives, with whom, or who claims him... if his parents are still in the picture...and you are. We can't use grand-parent data on the FAFSA. We can only use parent data. Since his parents are not deceased or abusive, then we would not make the student independent. So, when he gets ready to go off to college, your son will need to file his FAFSA using your financial data.

That said, it sounds like you're experiencing an economic hardship and he would likely be eligible for all forms of need based aid without losing the tax benefit of claiming him. I would recommend that you talk to the financial aid and admissions offices of the schools your student is planning on attending. They will be able to give you guidance as to what is available at that school and what you might be able to do to help.

Good luck.