Expert: David Disraeli - 9/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: This question may be a frequently asked one, but looking around on google is just a pain.

My boyfriend was taken by CPS when he was very young, lived with foster families for a while and was finally adopted.

He's 18 now and about to be on his own and wants to go to a community college, but money is tight.

Is there a way that he can get a grant or scholarship of some sort to help him pay for his community college fees??

I ask because I have a friend who was in a similar situation and did get a large chunk of money from the government to help her out.

I just would like some insight on how to go about this. Where should I look? What papers need to be filled out? Are there only certain circumstances that this federal money comes through??

I'm just trying to help him out anyway possible, and taking some of the weight off with money for college would be a great help!!

Thank you so much.

ANSWER: Hi Alexa,

Hope you're having a nice weekend.  OK here is how it works.  He has to apply by filing the "FASFA"" form no matter what school he wants to attend.  The problem is he must list his adoptive parents' income and assets.  You don't become un-adopted when you turn 18 - even if they're no help at all.  Sounds unfair I know, but it is the way it is.  

Community colleges are almost free anyway so he should be able to make it go with a small p.t.  job.

Now if he applied to a 4 year school and lived on campus he might get enough aid to paid the bulk of school - tuition, room and board.  It will depend on his parents income etc.  I would need to know that to tell you what he could get.  

The only way around this is to get married or become legally emancipated.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

David Disraeli CFP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well, i still need to ask him how much is adoptive parents make.
I'm pretty sure his 'dad' makes little to nothing but his 'mom' may make a large income.

so, if his mom makes a large income, despite the fact that they aren't helping, it will hurt his chances at getting aid??

And he does have a job working part time [although he works tons of hours], but he's moving into his own apartment and that will significantly cut into any money that could go to a community college, as 'cheap' as they are.

I've done the FAFSA myself because im attending a four year college, but i dont exactly understand all of it, just that its a bunch of tax questions.

So, is there a way on the FAFSA to make it obvious that he is becoming independent and his parents aren't helping in the slightest?? Because like you said it does seem quite unfair to base his need off what his PARENTS make...

Sorry if this is a little scatterbrained. Thank you SO much though for all your help. Have a happy labor free holiday!!

Answer
Like I said, he cannot claim independent status unless he meets the criteria.  He could get married and become independent.  The only way around it is to file the FASFA and go speak directly the college he's interested in. Where I live community colleges cost next to nothing.  In any event he can't get aid for his apartment regardless - or living expenses.  Sorry but that's my understanding of the whole thing.  

They made it this way because everyone would claim independent that moved out.  Again it is not tied to what they contribute but what they "could" contribute, hence the requirement that he list their income.  Every school has a financial aid office.  Has he tried that route yet?  Regardless of the FASFA results, there is someone at the school who has the ability to override it.  They may say they can't, but they can.  The trick may be to apply at a number of schools and see who is wiling to be flexible.

David