Introduction
As a student from a non-traditional family, you may find it challenging to get the financial aid you need. That’s why knowing your options and understanding the process is essential. In this article, we’ll explore what a non-traditional family situation means, how it affects eligibility for financial aid and other types of help, and how you can access resources like scholarships and loans if you have lived without parental support or guardianship.
What is a non-traditional family situation?
A “non-traditional family situation” refers to a parent or guardian who is not married to the other parent or who does not live with the student. This can include single parents, stepparents, foster care situations, and others. A non-traditional family situation could affect your eligibility for financial aid if:
- You are under 24 years old, and your parents are divorced or separated;
- You are under 24 years old, and one of your parents has died;
- A stepparent has adopted you after age 13;
You may also be considered independent if you have been abandoned by both parents (or legal guardians) without making any arrangements for your support; were born out of wedlock but have lived with one parent since birth; have had little contact with either parent because one lived far away from home due to military service; were raised by grandparents or other relatives instead of both biological parents due to death/incarceration/emotional abuse/neglect etc.; were placed in foster care before age 16 (or younger) but now live independently from government assistance programs.
How does this affect financial aid eligibility?
It depends on your family situation. If you are a stepparent, for example, and have been married to your child’s parent for at least one year, adopted the child, or had legal custody of the child for at least one year, then financial aid would be available to them.
If you are a foster care student placed into foster care by court order due to abuse or neglect within the home, then financial aid would also be available.
As mentioned above in the definition section of this article (and repeated here), an unaccompanied homeless youth is defined as someone under age 24 who lacks stable housing or residence; has experienced persistent instability as measured by frequent moves over multiple years; has experienced recent homelessness (within one year); and cannot live independently due to mental illness or substance abuse issues.
FAFSA and non-traditional families.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is utilized to assess eligibility for financial aid. It’s also used to apply for federal grants, scholarships, and loans. The FAFSA helps students and parents understand how much money they need to pay for college by estimating their Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
The EFC is calculated by adding the income of all people expected to contribute toward paying for the student’s education costs. This includes parents or stepparents who have custody of the dependent student, custodial grandparents if they provide more than half of their support or other individuals who contribute more than 10% of their support.
Financial aid for students from non-traditional families.
In case you are eligible, you can receive financial aid.
- Your parents are divorced, separated, or never married to each other.
- You have a stepparent (your parent’s new spouse).
- Your birth occurred to unmarried parents. Mother did not marry the father of your child before age 18 or establish paternity within four months after birth.* Stepparents who have legally adopted their stepchildren are considered their parents for federal student aid purposes. “Legally adopted” means that the adoption was finalized by court order or decree under state law.* Foster care students placed in a foster home by court order and living with a family member may also be eligible for federal student aid benefits if they meet all other eligibility requirements.* If you do not know whether or not your parents were ever married, check with the institution where they attended school before applying for financial aid because this information may affect your eligibility status under certain circumstances, such as when determining whether you are considered dependent upon them (as opposed to independent) on FAFSA forms; additionally, some institutions may require proof of legal separation/divorce documentation before awarding scholarship funds which could compromise eligibility based upon citizenship status requirements imposed by state law governing scholarships offered publicly funded institutions such as universities/colleges etcetera…
Scholarships for students from non-traditional families.
There are many scholarships for students who come from non-traditional family situations. Suppose you are a single parent, an orphan, or have been raised by relatives or friends and are now attending college on your dime. In that case, Scholarships are available to assist you in covering your educational expenses.
Scholarships also exist for students with exceptional circumstances such as being diagnosed with cancer; suffering from depression; being transgender or transitioning from male to female; having a physical handicap (blindness/deafness); having cerebral palsy or other movement disorders; surviving childhood sexual abuse; being homeless after graduating high school…the list goes on!
There are also thousands of scholarships available just for those with specific interests and talents, such as singing opera professionally while studying marine biology in college at night – yes! And if none of these things apply directly, then don’t worry because most universities offer their unique programs where they recruit incoming first-year students based solely upon financial need rather than skill set alone, which means that even if your major isn’t related directly back to one’s family background (elders helping out financially), then still consider applying anyway because some schools may overlook certain factors during the application process when determining which applicants get accepted versus others who might not necessarily meet all requirements but still deserve consideration nonetheless.”
Work-study programs for non-traditional families.
Work-study programs are an excellent way for students to earn money while in school and can help them pay for their education. Students who qualify for work-study programs will be placed at a job related to their major, allowing them to gain experience in their field of study.
Students who come from non-traditional family situations may be able to receive financial aid through the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). This program provides eligible students with an opportunity to earn money while attending college by working on campus or off campus at approved agencies. To qualify for FWS, you must be enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution and have demonstrated financial need based on your FAFSA information.
Alternative student loans for non-traditional families.
If you’re from a non-traditional family, the federal government has a loan program to help you pay for college. This program is called the Federal Parent PLUS Loan and is available for undergraduate and graduate studies.
The Federal Parent PLUS Loan provides up to $20,000 per year in loans for eligible students (up to $60,000 total). The money can be used for tuition and living expenses such as housing or food- it doesn’t have to go towards tuition alone!
Financial aid for unaccompanied homeless youth.
If a student is homeless, they may be eligible for federal financial aid. Suppose you are an unaccompanied homeless youth (meaning you are under 24 years old and have no permanent home). In that case, you can apply for federal grants and loans specifically for your situation.
Additionally, some states offer their aid programs for students who qualify as unaccompanied homeless youth. To find out about these state-specific resources, contact the office of student financial aid at your college or university.
Students can get financial aid if they have unique circumstances, but they must know where to look and how to apply correctly.
Many resources are available if you are a student with a non-traditional family situation and need help paying for college. The first step is knowing your options and applying for them all. Several types of financial aid can be utilized by students in need:
- Grants – These awards do not have to be repaid but require that a student meet specific criteria (e.g., being enrolled full-time).
- Loans – Students may borrow money from the government or private lenders at low-interest rates, but these loans must be paid back after graduation.
- Work Study Programs – Students work part-time on campus during school terms earning wages that go towards paying their tuition bills; however, this type of employment does not always provide enough income alone, so applicants should always apply directly through their university’s financial aid office before looking elsewhere (if applicable).
Conclusion
There are many sources of financial aid available for students from non-traditional families. The first step is to fill out the FAFSA, which will help determine eligibility and award amounts at schools nationwide. If you have questions about filling out this form or any other aspect of your application process, contact an expert today.
