cave canem Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Our estranged young-adult child would like our information to file the FAFSA. We don't trust this child to have the information. If we file the document, will our child be able to view the document or learn what is on it through the college fin aid office? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chanley Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Can you emancipate this child? They would probably get more aid without your income. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Can you emancipate this child? They would probably get more aid without your income. It doesn't work that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cave canem Posted August 28, 2017 Author Share Posted August 28, 2017 Right, it doesn't work that way, but doesn't matter because child is of age. Anyway, child will not get any need-based aid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 OP, I haven't done the FAFSA yet as a parent but I am pretty sure the student is able to view anything you enter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 This year if you use the IRS retrieval tool, then the data just says imported from the IRS without giving numbers. I'm not sure if there is any way the student can circumvent this, but it might be helpful in your situation. https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/irs-drt-unavailable 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 What is your threat model here? (In other words, what danger are you trying to protect yourself from?) If you suspect your child will use FAFSA information inappropriately, your address and social are also useful to identity thieves band for harassment, and those are not covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cave canem Posted August 28, 2017 Author Share Posted August 28, 2017 your address and social are also useful to identity thieves band for harassment, and those are not covered. I don't understand any of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 OK, you are asking if your son can see information on the FAFSA. Julie responded that your IRS data is now covered when you use the direct-transfer tool. However, if you suspect that your child would use your personal information against you, there is still a lot o useful personal information that is not covered. If your son can see your personal information, what are you worried that he might do with it that would cause you harm? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpedIntoTheDeepEndFirst Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Yes, I think the student can as the FAFSA is technically in their name not yours (if I recall correctly). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cave canem Posted August 31, 2017 Author Share Posted August 31, 2017 I won't elaborate on our concerns about this young adult. The answers given here have been very helpful, and I followed up with the fin aid office. According to the office, the IRS retrieval tool is offline for this school year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artichoke Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 You can request a paper copy of the FASFA. Maybe that version would limit access to only the financial aid offices. Best wishes as you find a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JanetC Posted August 31, 2017 Share Posted August 31, 2017 According to the office, the IRS retrieval tool is offline for this school year. It is coming back online for fall 2018 financial aid (i.e. this admissions cycle, rather than this school year). Longer discussion here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/655014-fafsa-irs-transfer-tool-is-blind-for-this-falls-admissions-cycle/ Again, you don't need to go into WHY you don't want certain information shared with your child, but it would be helpful to understand what you want to keep private. If it's just dollar amounts, then you are OK with the blind retrieval tool. If it's more complicated than that, you may need to do something else. Working with the financial aid office is a great idea, but if your need for privacy is more unusual, "trust but verify." Colleges have many procedures in place due to FERPA that keep student's information private from nosy parents, but they may have less experience protecting things the other way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.