presented by cristi millard. introduction income questions family situations wrap-up
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FILLING OUT THE FAFSA: WHAT IF IT DOESN’T FIT?
Presented by Cristi Millard
AGENDA
Introduction Income questions Family situations Wrap-Up
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA?
Situations in flux Traditional family definition does not
apply Income was received, but not through
regular channels No mailing address Student doesn’t really have a clue!
INCOME PROBLEMS
Received both foreign and US income
Paid under the table, but received more than $9,500 in income
Filed as married, but is common law
Others?
US AND FOREIGN INCOME
When a student or parent has returns from both a foreign nation and the United States for the same tax year, they should use the data from the U.S. return when filling out the FAFSA.
PAID UNDER THE TABLE
May be required to file if income was over certain thresh hold
Financial aid should not be awarded if tax return was not filed
We are not the tax police – really?
MARRIED, BUT NOT?
State of Utah does not recognize common law marriages
To be considered married, couple must declare relationship in front of a judge
May be required to refile
DISCUSSION
This is the point where audience participation is not just encouraged, but required!
FAMILY QUESTIONS
Different types of families Polygamous Same sex Divorced students or parents Student claiming siblings Commune Group marriage
POLYGAMOUS FAMILY
Is the student’s mother the first wife?
How many children should be counted?
How is the income counted?
What if all the families live in the same house – do you count all the wives and children?
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Are the parents legally married? What income should be reported if the
parents are not legally married? What children should be counted in the
family size? If the student claims a sibling on his/her
taxes, is that student really independent?
SAME SEX COUPLES
2010 Census reports almost 1% of couples report as same-sex
Increase of 51% from the 200 census
Can they file as married?
DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE
According to the Defense of Marriage Act (1996), “…the word ‘marriage’ means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” Therefore, same-sex unions are not considered marriages for federal purposes, including the FAFSA.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Do you care if the student is in a same-sex marriage? How would you know?
Can the student file as married? If the student cannot file as married, how is the
income reported? Can you do a special consideration to allow the
student to claim the spouse as a dependent? If the student cannot file as married, how would legal
dependents be reported? How does the dependent student report marital
status of parents? How is income reported?
DIVORCED STUDENTS OR PARENTS
Divorced, but living in the same house
Joint physical and legal custody – 50% and 50%
One parent moves out and the other parent moves in
Separated for an extended period of time
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Which parent’s income is used? Would assets be viewed any differently? If there are siblings, who is included in
family size?
OTHER SITUATIONS
Student claiming siblings to be independent
Commune Group marriages Others? Discussion time!
WRAP-UP
It is our responsibility to help the student fill out the FAFSA using the most accurate information available. Sometimes this will require creative thinking on our part, along with tact and diplomacy when explaining these requirements to students and their parents.
PRESENTER INFORMATION
Cristi Millard, Director of Financial Aid Salt Lake Community College
801-957-4145 cristi.easton@slcc.edu
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