Lying about family income to get aid for college...

[whattaguy]

My mother is an RN with a decent income, but all of that income went into our dying business. However, that wasn't reported on our household income. The government wouldn't give me any aid for school because they only saw the positive figures. As a result, I had to live on loans and credit through college and am now in a lot of school debt.
On the other hand, I had a roommate with parents that made a ton of money in their own business, but always reported $0 on taxes. As a result, he received a lot financial assistance from the government that he didn't need. He had tons of "free" money to spend on whatever he wanted. I didn't think it was fair because people like me, who really needed aid, didn't get any. Thoughts?

 

[kyparrish]

blackmail your roommate's family to give you money....tell them you'll report them to the IRS and FBI

 

You'll be the one laughing when they get audited* by the IRS someday and thrown in prison.

* audited in this situation means getting a large-handled broom shoved up your ass, bristle side first.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
blackmail your roommate's family to give you money....tell them you'll report them to the IRS and FBI

Great idea!

 

[LuNoTiCK]

I think it's not fair, but the whole system seems to be messed up. I barely get any aid. You can't be upset at him, it's not like if he didn't get money, you would have.

 

[bradruth]

Turn him in and enjoy the show.

 

[geckojohn]

Originally posted by: jumpr
You'll be the one laughing when they get audited* by the IRS someday and thrown in prison.

* audited in this situation means getting a large-handled broom shoved up your ass, bristle side first.

bristle side first would hurt

 

[episodic]

One thing that pissed me off is that I moved out of the house at 18 - supported myself totally - and they still wanted to count my parent's income for financial aide.

What happens if your parents simply 'don't' want to pay for your college? Is it not their right? If it is their right - why should a legal adult living on their own have to get permission from mommy and daddy?

This caused me to not be able to get college aide till I was dang near 20 years old.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: whattaguy Thoughts?

lying == teh bad

lying to the govt. == teh fraud


see you in FPMITAP

 

[Mo0o]

I think that is considered fraud...

Why not just lie in your admissions papers

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
blackmail your roommate's family to give you money....tell them you'll report them to the IRS and FBI

i third this idea.... he committed fraud, no doubt. get him for it

 

[lobadobadingdong]

2 words

background check

they will check on previous tax returns to validate income documentation.

 

[whattaguy]

There's no bitter feelings with my roommate. Plus, I graduated a while ago, so it's old news. The reason I brought this up was that one of my youth students said something like, "I should've lied about my family income because I'm not getting any aid for school and my parents are about to buy a house."
All I said was, "Don't lie about that because you'll take away money for those who really need it."