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For many colleges, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) seems to be a requirement even for college grants and merit scholarships. Does anyone know how the government handles the submitted FAFSA form when a U.S. citizen resides in a U.S. territory? The boxes on the form seem to require an applicant to have filed a 1040, or one of its versions like the 1040EZ, as well as a tax return in one of the available "states" of residence from a selection of fifty and DC. Maybe the process is more streamlined than I imagine but I'm concerned that an application claiming U.S. residency but also claiming neither a 1040 nor a state return has been filed will result in the form being kicked out by some computer and by the time the snafu has been straightened out, the grants and scholarships will have been dispersed. It seems unlikely that the VI government cooperates with the Feds and/or colleges attempting to verify that the information provided on the FAFSA is accurate. Does anyone here have any experience with this?
Posted : August 25, 2007 9:38 pm
Your usvi tax return is acceptable proof you can file on line if you have any questions call 1-800-433-3243.
Posted : August 25, 2007 10:30 pm
I filed the FAFSA for two college student sons while living in the USVI and it went through just fine. They accept the VI as a location from which to have filed your taxes. Both sons qualified for grants at the same level as they would have if I were still on the mainland. When they ask for your tax return info, fill in the boxes with the numbers from your form as you filed it in the USVI. Good luck to your child in his/her college endeavor! My oldest just graduated with his BA this spring with more than 60 family members there to cheer him onwards. He was the first in his generation in our family to get his degree. Cool stuff. Saving many thousands through grants made it much more possible to stay in school and left him with only a small debt to pay off from loans. Taking the time to fill out these grant forms and any scholarship applications for which your child meets the basic criteria is well worth it.
Posted : August 26, 2007 3:00 am
Topic starter
Thanks for alleviating my concerns. I appreciate knowing someone else has been through the same process with success!
Posted : August 26, 2007 3:12 am
