Find solution
How much money can I make and still get a Pell grant?

Pell Grant question about fraud?

  • I have applied for and have been accepted for a sum of money from the Pell Grant for this fall semester. Here is my problem, I applied under my mom's financial records. Due to a divorce, she moved to Canada, does not have a job, and will also be attending school classes there for the fall. She had her Ga. taxes filed and completed etc. She was a stay at home mom, became a legal resident of Ga. for 25 yrs, and left for Canada to stay a year ago; therefore, did not earn any real salary although we did record as much as we assume she got. I do not live with her, I do not depend on her due to her making NO money, I and my sister (who also applied the same way for the Pell) live with and depend on our dad because he lives in Ga. where I am attending college. Here is my question: Because I do not live with my mom and do not receive any money from her, was I not allowed to file for the Pell under her?? I have not received the money yet, yes I do need it to pay for my college, but if it really is a problem is it too late to fix things and not get charged with fraud or anything?? I do not want to cheat, steal, etc... I was lead to believe that I was eligible for it, but this issue has been brought to my attention and I want to make it right if things are wrong. Thanks for your time

  • Answer:

    Elaine, it depends on how much the asker would have gotten had she applied under her father. As the asker said, his mother had basically no income. Thus, he did get more than he may have. Never in the question did he say that he received less money than he normally would. Also, he is not an independent student. He said that he and his sister are dependent upon their father. And congratulations... you met a lawyer one day. I had wonderful talks with my mom's old lawyer (prior to his death) multiple times. Given, we were discussing civil war history since he was a fellow history lover. As for the asker... My parents are divorced (and have been since I was 4). We live in GA, as does my dad (he works in a nice position for the government). However, you always count yourself for financial aid based upon your custodial parent, the one that can claim you on the important tax returns used by FAFSA to give you the Pell Grant. Example: My dad makes a nice salary. My mom doesn't. My mom has sole physical custody. I am considered for scholarships based on her income since I am claimed on her tax returns, am legally under her custody, and depend on her for a roof over my head and for payment towards college tuition. Technically my dad could decide not to pay, and the only way to get him to do so would be to bring him to court on the charge of contempt of court (this is based on the original divorce agreement that I have become quite familiar with since it was not a nice, clean divorce).

Precious at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Yes, that is fraud. The person who answered first is crazy! You can be arrested and charged with federal financial aid fraud by filing under someone who is not supporting you. Because your mother lives in Canada, she is not allowed to have a dependent student who is living in the US. When the federal department of education finds this out, you, your sister, and your mother can all be arrested for fraud. You and your sister need to file with your father's financial records as you are his legal dependents! Do not mess around with fraud! Your father files his taxes as independent and most likely claims both you and your sister as his dependents. The government compares tax returns with financial aid applications and will find the fraudulent claims. You both need to withdraw your FAFSA applications and reapply with your father's information. This will fix everything. If your sister committed fraudulent acts and received the money, hopefully she will not be caught. Don't take the same chance, you seem like a good person!

Top Weasel

I do not belive that you are fraudulent. You took certain things into consideration and filed under dependent status. From what I know, dependent students are less likely to recive funding that independent students so it shouldn't even be an issue. Right now, leave well enough alone and keep your financial aid they way it is Next year, feel free to file as an independent student and watch how you will get more money. When you are getting LESS than you are entitled to you are not committing fraud, it is only when you get MORE that you commit fraud. Think of it this way: Nobody does ghost payroll to get less pay (and ghost payroll is definitely fraud) Also if you want to know more about fraud, I personally interacted with a lawyer that schemes on clients interests and hires investigators to impersonate federal agents (talk about bad) I wanna sue her and put her in jail and all that other stuff. But you my friend, have done nothing of the kind. Not when you are getting less. Thanks for reading. To top weasel- Didn't you read this. She is getting LESS. How could getting less be fraud. Trust the expert with tax prep skills, why don't you!

Elaine G

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.