So, my son's father and I are divorced. I am remarried and my and my husband's incomes are being used for the financial aid application. My question is about child support received and SSI benefits. My ex is on permanent disability and I receive benefits for my son from SSI. I do not receive child support, per se, but rather the amount of the benefit of SSI which comes directly to me as the representative payee. Is this put on the FAFSA where it asks if anyone in the parents' household receives SSI or is it put in as child support received? I am confused because my son is a beneficiary, not an SSI recipient, and I am the representative payee, not an SSI recipient. This is my first time doing FAFSA, so bear with me if this question is confusing. I tried to look online but just got more confused.
Thank you all!
What a lot of people don't know is you don't have to list both parents income, only the parent's taxable income that claims them as a dependent. It will then later ask you for the amount of child support.
FAFSA will ask you for both parent's income but in itty bitty print tell you it is not required.
I am so glad my daughter graduates this year!
Call the school your son wants to go to and ask if someone in the financial aid office can help you. They know this stuff inside and out. They are probably back to work tomorrow.
Good luck,
Dawn
I also used the chat function on the site -- not sure if they are open today but it was quick/easy last week. GOOD LUCK!
We are in the middle of doing this & had a question since we haven't lived in our state for 5 years this time, but lived here a long time ago. ugh.
I don't know about financial aid packets but when a family is filing for child care assistance it is consered income to the household and does count. I had a single mom with a disabled daughter who happened to live with her. She needed to work to make more for herself and her infant daughter and her child care co-pay was hundreds of dollars per month. Most of my other families were well under $100 per month. I called and asked the worked and she told me it was the older child's disability income that was being added into the gross household income.
When I was in college and received FA the money I received from school was not counted as household income and it did not go against child care assistance, food stamps, or the monthly check I received from the state. I got the school money free and clear to be used however I needed it to be used. Seems kind of backwards to me but that is a bureaucracy at work.
Good question. My ex is also on SSI disability. My daughter is 9, so I haven't had to do a FAFSA for her yet. I've done FAFSAs for myself, but not for a child.
The intent of the FAFSA is to determine what the parent's portion of college expenses should be based on their ability to pay. Is it an option to use you and your ex's income for the application? Because his father is on permanent disability, your son may qualify for more financial aid, or grants, than with your husband's income included.
Won't SSI/child support end when your son turns 18?
You may want to call the financial aid office of your high school or local college with these questions. In fact, I might call more than once, to see if the advice you get is consistent.
I was also about to say call FAFSA or the financial aid office of the school.
Also, keep a copy because they'll ask you this every year.
I am not sure but suggest you talk to the financial aid office at the college...they are very knowledgable. Or you can call someone at the FAFSA office.
Hi Jacqueline,,,first congraulations for ur child wanting to go to college.! just had my last one graduate this december. I have a few ?'s 4 u: 1. if his step dad did not adopt him then techincally he is not responsible for ur childs $..since ur ex is disabled there could be avenues u can go thru n get grants via fasha n the school for the school determines how much ur child can get each year. my best bet if he is already accepted into a college I would contact them and see the best way to file this information, also u have to april to file but the earliest u file the better it is for you with available $$.. also I thought the benefits stop when he turns 18 ? for mu husband was a widower and when the boys turned 18 thee ss $ stop. not sure how the ssi works in r case.
