How do I get financial aid if I have step parents?
Written By: aaren on October 21, 2009
One Comment
Ok, so I have to apply for Financial Aid soon, but here’s the thing. My step-father isn’t paying anything at all for my college education, only my mom is. But, their income tax is filed together, so he makes a lot of money and my mom very small. I don’t know what to do, because I won’t get much financial help if my step-father’s tax reports are in there. Will I get financial aid?
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Tags: college education, Financial Aid, financial help, fixed rate private student loan consolidation, home equity loan lowest rate, income tax, mom, money, tax reports
If he makes ALOT of money, no, you probably wont get financial aid, but since he is your legal guardian, it is his income that counts toward your eligibility. I know this sucks for you, but that’s the way the law is. Additionally, whats unfair is that since he adopted you, he has been able to claim you as a dependant on his tax return, thereby lowering his tax liability.
Someday, you will be on your own, and be independant, then your financial eligibilty will increase dramatically, until then but, its gonna be terrible news for you. Maybe in the meantime, your mom could redirect some of the money she gets from him, for the household, directly to you instead, not the best of circumstances, but maybe a means to the end?
this is a tough situation, hard to solve, but hang in there, theres more than one way to skin a cat. Best of luck to you.