How is this fair?

so last year, when my husband and I did our taxes, we came in under the poverty line. we got back every dollar we gave to federal taxes.
but then when I applied for financial aid to go to college, with the same tax information, I was told we could afford to pay for it. what's with our system?

so why is it my brother in law gets a welfare check (hear me out) when his wife is a college grad making good money?

as far as assets, well....my car is worth maybe 1000 dollars, and it's not paid for yet. we live in a small apartment and last time I checked I had 3 bucks in savings.

evidently you are one of those rich people the democrates keep saying got a tax cut.

It sounds like they must be looking at assets like cars or home. Although I do not remember that this was considered in educational grants. Check both state and federal grants as this does not seem right. Some expect you to pay the first semester and they "reimburse" based on the persons grades. If the person makes good grades and is reimbursed after each semester the 4 year education is paid for. Ask these people for more info.

its not fair.

Income taxes are only for income in one calendar year, and there are many deductions that might reduce your tax liability.

Financial aid includes your assets & liabilities, income, etc.

What was your total income last year?

What is your net worth?

Years ago my husband and I both went back to school. We were approved for loans, but denied child care costs. He went to school...I'm still at home.

If the country would rise up and demand a national sales tax (the fair tax bill) vs our present system, you could afford to pay for school.

That's to bad, just keep trying to get help and remember there are thousands of scholarships and loans that you can apply for. It is the anti education president that has taken money away from it to fight a war for no good reason. Remember that when you vote.

they just didnt want yur freeloadin porchsittin self in theyre school for free

No one is entitled to a free education, get a loan just like the majority of college students. I went to school to be a teacher, went $25,000 in debt, when I graduated I couldn't get a job because the market was saturated with teachers.. So I went back to school and became a nurse. Guess what? I am another $30,000 in debt.

ROTFLMAO You can't show any income if you want aid for College Neocon, you voted for it!

ISN'T AMERICA WONDERFUL!? Even folks below poverty level can afford to go to college.. I did, surely you can; and you can do it on your own nickel, not mine!!

Yeah, the system is pretty screwed up. Stop asking from the government, and then they'll have less power to demand anything from you (like your taxes). I'm not saying that if you don't get government money to pay for college that the IRS will magically ignore you, but I'm saying that if the majority of people in this country stopped asking favors of the government, its power to take with the other hand would be deflated. The present system of government makes promises it can't or won't keep--like the promise to educate the poor. But it can never truly accomplish this because the US government is the lousiest manager of funds and programs you'll ever find. If the government were a company, it would have long ago gone out of business. The government forces people to be customers and then goes on to provide service that makes any roach motel look good.

Don't depend on the system. Flip Uncle Sam the bird and apply for private scholarships.