Important question...may be in alot of trouble!!!

[KIMMY03]

I am starting LPN school in august but I have a serious problem! This year was my older sisters first year in school and since she lives on the opposite end of the state and started before me, she had my mothers 2007 income tax and fafsa pin (we both qualify as dependants as we are under 24 w/ no dependants) with her in miami. I needed my fafsa done quick and instead of waiting for her to send it (it would've taken her wks. she procrastinates so much) I gave her the go ahead to fill my fafsa for me.

The other day I went to my fan. aid office in my school to see what I am eligible for. I was told that I was selected for verification which to me is nothing new since I (for some reason) have been selected every year since the beginning of my education, so I brought in the documentation that they asked me for and was told they would call me in about 3 days when they got to mine.

Later that day I casuallly mentioned to my sister that I was selected for verification and she got all weird on me. She then proceeded to tell me that she "tried to help me out" by not putting my tax info on the fafsa and only my mothers! :angryfire Now I'm worried because I know liying on a fafsa is a federal offense and it is too late for me to change it because I already signed the verification and gave it to the school!

The weird thing is that they did not ask to verify my taxes, only my mothers (obviously because she was the only one reported to have been working) but I'm wondering...do they contact the IRS to see if you really worked or not or is it something that just catches up with you 5/6 yrs down the line??? I am afraid to go back to the fin. aid director because I'm worried that she will think i did this intentionally and am now having a change of heart. (seriously...what other idiot besides me lets their sister do their fafsa??) To any one who has worked in a school or knows anthing about this.... PLEASE HELP!!

[missjennmb]

I dont know anything about this specifically, BUT I can say with 100% certainty that honesty is the best policy. I would urge you to go in and talk to them and let them know whats going on. Since no money has been disbursed yet its probably not too late. You didnt sign anything saying you didnt have income during verification right? If thats the case then I dont think you'd be in trouble as long as you are honest.

IMO being a nurse means having a certain level of integrity, and in that, I would not feel right if I purposely withheld information (now that you know of course)

But thats just what I would do. You need to do whats right for you.

[amjowens]

If you earned verifiable income, it will most likely show up. This is the whole concept of FAFSA-it's based on income/ability to contribute. Just because you earned a certain amount doesn't mean you won't get financial aid. I'd fix whatever you have-it's very easy to do and you are the only one to lose if you don't. At least you'll still be eligible for aid (don't know how inaccuracies are dealt with).

It's amazing how understanding people are if you try to correct a mistake/wrong. It's after the fact that causes the pain. I'd do it asap.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Fasfa's are easily adjusted online so not to worry. I adjusted mine after the fact as I remembered I had not declared some investment income.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

my cousin had the same problem , she went to the financial officer and was honest and expained it , she brought in a copy of her taxes and explained everything... it worked out fine.... just go see them and clear it up now , better to be safe than sorry down the road....

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Be honest. It is fixable.

steph