How long does Fafsa pay for education?

First time filling out fafsa and my dad is paranoid? uhhh help?

• Okay, so here is my situation. I'm under 24, single, no kids, female, living in California, and part-time employee 9.50hr. I claimed myself on my taxes and support myself. I don't receive welfare and any other aid. I live with my sister and grandmother. My biological parents are divorced. Of course when they got divorced I was supported by both. But once I graduated high school. I began to support myself. My mother remarried. Her and her husband are employed. They filed taxes together. And I calculated their income. I cannot use her and the "step dad" on my fafsa since they made my EFC score high, where I won't get much or none at all of the Pell Grant. Okay, so one parent out and now one more to go! On the other hand, I should use my dads info since it would definitely help me pay for my education. Here is why: My dad remarried and they bore two awesome younger brothers. My dad and his wife are unemployed. They're receiving welfare and he is receiving ssi. His wife worked a temporary job for about 4 months this year, but before and after that, it's been hard for her to find any job. I asked my dad if they filed tax for 2010 and he said no because there was no income. Here is the thing: I don't live with them. I support myself and claimed myself on my taxes. My job sucks and check goes to bills and all. I told my dad using my moms info will hurt me and if I use him and the step mom on my fafsa, the score would be low low, so that would help me get through college with the pell grant. BUT my dramatic dad is all paranoid about using his info because he thinks fafsa will check his information (clean background) and see he is on welfare and ss, and because I dont live with him, he is paranoid that fafsa would call the welfare office and ask how many people in his household are depending on each other (dad,wife,2 brothers) and then mention me in their household because of the fafsa info,but when really im not living with them. I was told they won't go out of their way and do that. When they couldn't find a place, his wife and my two brothers were living with me for about 2 years and moved out a few months ago. So it's not like I am lying. But either way, whether I am living with them or not, I need his info and I know his info would get me a pell grant based on their situation. My friend said I should include them and myself in one household. I told him that and he is all paranoid! "the feds, i Don't trust them!" -__- Anyways my question is...will fafsa go out of their way and investigate him, his wife, etc etc...contact their welfare office, get them in trouble for not giving all info, and etc. Idk all this complicated scenario. What a drama queen. But since this is my first time submitting a fafsa, I'd just like to get all my answers and extra info now to reassure him he is being too paranoid and help his daughter get a good education, that way I could take care of my parents in the future!!

• Answer:

  You should either talk to your school's financial aid office or contact FAFSA directly for help with your situation. That said, they are not going to call the welfare office and investigate anything.