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Top Ten Questions...
by Joe Roberto
At the Fall NJASFAA Conference, EASFAA member Joe Roberto, Bergen
Community College, shared his “top ten
questions from parents” at Financial Aid Nights during a Speaker’s
Bureau Conference Session. We hope you enjoy them.
No Such Thing as a Dumb Question?
10. My
mom and dad are Divorced and my mom does not want to answer
question 69 about age, can she put 30 something for her age?
9. I was denied Financial Aid last year because
my parents information, if they are separated (but not really)
for the next 3
years until I graduate what proof does the
college need so I can get lots of money.
8. I have a large house pet that eats more than
my husband. Can I use that pet as an another family member who
received more than half their support from the parents.
7. My neighbor told me to report low income
information on the FAFSA because there is only a 50% chance they
will verify the information, is that true? And if so what is the
statute of limitations after we get Aid and do not have to pay
it back.
6. If we give misleading information, what is the
tolerance before we get fined or go to jail? Is there a ballpark
figure? We do not want to give all true answers.
5. On question # 100, if someone filled out this
form other than parents or student. Who will know? I went to a
Financial Planner, who said he would fill out the FAFSA
for $400 and if he does not put his name charge only $300. He
said “The Financial Aid people do not understand how important
it is to get Aid”. They get paid not to give Financial Aid,
and he will
make sure our student gets Aid.
4. If I work “under the table” a part-time
job and make more doing that than my real job, do I have to
report it any where? How do they know I am working two jobs?
3. I have been out of work for 3 years and only
have to take care of my boyfriend (cooking, cleaning, running
errands and
sleeping with
him) he makes a lot of money and supports my children. How much
do I have to report on the FAFSA so that my son gets Aid?
2. My parents hate filling out forms. Since I
will be in college at the same time of my sister, can we make a
copy of her FAFSA and put a sticky label over her name and put
my name?
1. I am a dancer and part-time bartender and make
lots of money. I only report $11,000 to $12,000 per year on my
tax return. My
daughter who is going to college lives with me in my house. I
have two other children and a live in babysitter who I support
from child support. How much information do I need to give on
the FAFSA? Also, one college needs a CSS profile where I have to
report my home value, vacation home and cars. If I report my
assets in total they would be over $480,000.
Does CSS give the information to the federal people and
colleges?
QUOTES OF
INTEREST
"Success
is to be measured not so much by the position that one has
reached in life as by the obstacles which he [or she] has
overcome while trying to succeed."
- Booker T. Washington
"It's
better to be approximately right than precisely wrong." -
Warren Buffett
Where
principle is involved, be deaf to expediency. - James Webb
"Don't
point a finger - - lend a hand" – Anonymous
"If
you think education is expensive, try ignorance.."
- Derek Bok |
