Well today brought on some frustration. I took our 19 year-old live-in to CSN to finish up her financial aid. Her FAFSA is finished and she could be awarded, but a CSN student worker told us that she needed to have a copy of her mom’s 2008 tax return. We explained that she does not live with her mother and has not for many years. The worker told us that she was still a dependent until age 24 even though she filed her own tax return and is not on her mom’s tax return.

Then the worker told us that she could get aid if she got married or has a kid then she would not need her parent’s tax return. That is when I got a little upset and made a little scene. I told her that was ridiculous to think that we would leave here and she would either get pregnant or get married so she could get help to pay for college. What the heck???????? Then the student worker said that was federal law and once again I said that was ridiculous and not every kid can rely on her parents, so any kid who can’t get her parent’s tax return is screwed!??? Once again, what the heck?

After hours on the phone with a recruiter and a “real” financial aid person at CSN. We discovered that there is a form that we could get to allow her to apply for aid with CSN on her own tax return and not use mom’s on the FAFSA since they just process the information. The school has the requirements for aid. Learned that today too. Not too student friendly at times.

So, it took the whole day to get one question that was simple, answered. A student who is between 18-24 can apply with own tax return without being a dependent of her parent with just a form and 2 letters to verify information.

Thank you to the recruiter at CSN who was very helpful and listened to her story. We do appreciate those who are willing to give accurate information without being rude or jut mean.

It is tough enough to get an education today, but to have to fight for answers is why Nevada does not have a good reputation when it comes to education. We were very persistent and did get an answer, finally.

Guess where the form is that we need? You guessed it. We have to go back to the same student worker station and ask for the form and then bring it back to the same place once we have the letters.

Once again, what the heck????????