How FAFSA treats disability income & retirement funds for older parents (65+) with cancer?

My son was in a similar situation (I'm 67, wife had stage 4 lung cancer). From our experience, disability income DOES count as income on FAFSA, but retirement accounts are generally not counted as assets if they're in qualified retirement plans like 401k or traditional IRAs. The high medical expenses should definitely be mentioned in the special circumstances section - you'll need documentation though. When you get your SAI score, immediately contact each school's financial aid office to explain the situation. Some schools have more flexibility than others with professional judgment adjustments.

IMPORTANT: make sure that ur mom's disability is reported correctly on FAFSA!! social security disability income (SSDI) is reported differently than supplemental security income (SSI). also depends if she gets private disability insurance. wrong reporting = wrong aid calculation = less $$. call student aid to double check!!!!

After trying to get through to Federal Student Aid for days about a similar special circumstances situation (parent with medical issues), I finally used a service called Claimyr that got me through to an actual FSA agent in about 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ showing how it works. The agent I spoke with explained exactly how to document medical expenses and disability income for the special circumstances review. Made a huge difference for us!

I work in financial aid at a college. Here's what you need to know: 1. Disability income IS counted as untaxed income on the FAFSA 2. Retirement accounts (IRAs, 401k) are NOT included in asset calculations if your parents are of retirement age 3. Medical expenses aren't factored into the initial FAFSA calculation BUT... 4. You can submit a "Professional Judgment" request at EACH school after acceptance 5. Document EVERYTHING - medical bills, disability statements, retirement account statements Don't just rely on FAFSA - each school has discretion to adjust your aid package based on special circumstances like serious illness.

My dad had cancer when I applied and tbh FAFSA was useless!!! The formula doesn't care if ur parents have medical bills. Got wayyyy better results going straight to financial aid offices and CRYING (not even joking). Bring documentation of EVERYTHING. Good luck!

Don't forget that retirement age impacts asset protection! For parents over 65, there's an "Asset Protection Allowance" that shields some retirement funds from FAFSA calculations. The exact amount changes each year but it's significant. Also, if your mom is on SSDI, you'll report that under "untaxed income" not under the regular income section. The CSS Profile (required by some private schools) asks more detailed questions about medical expenses than FAFSA does.

i had cancer during my kids college years and its a NIGHTMARE the medical bills plus college costs i cnat believe the system doesnt automatically account for this stuff why do we have to jump through so many hoops when were already dealing with serious illness???

My brother just went through this last year! Call each school's financial aid office directly AFTER you submit FAFSA. Each school handled our parent's cancer situation differently - state schools were less flexible than private schools. And keep ALL medical receipts from 2023 tax year since that's what 2025-2026 FAFSA will be based on. Good luck!

Hey Declan, I'm a financial aid counselor and wanted to add some specific guidance for your situation. Since your mom's diagnosis was in 2024 but you're filing for 2025-2026 aid (which uses 2023 tax info), the timing creates challenges. However, you can request a "change of income" review if her disability started after the base year. Also, for schools that use institutional methodology, having both parents over 65 actually helps with asset protection - they get much higher allowances than younger parents. Start documenting ALL cancer-related expenses now (travel to appointments, co-pays, prescription costs) even if they seem small. When you contact financial aid offices, ask specifically about their "dependent student with parent medical hardship" policies - many schools have specific protocols for exactly your situation.

I'm going through almost the exact same situation! My dad (66) has stage 3 colon cancer and mom (64) is his caregiver, so their income dropped dramatically this year. What I learned from talking to a financial aid counselor at my top choice school: 1) Keep a spreadsheet of ALL medical expenses from 2024 forward - mileage, parking, meals during treatment days, even over-the-counter meds recommended by oncologists. 2) Ask for a "Professional Judgment Review" at every school you're accepted to, not just your top choice. 3) Some schools have emergency aid funds specifically for students with parents facing serious illness. Don't be afraid to ask! 4) If your mom qualifies for any cancer-specific assistance programs, document those too as they show the severity of the financial impact. The whole system is frustrating when you're already dealing with so much, but don't give up advocating for yourself. Sending you and your family strength during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this difficult situation. As someone who works with FAFSA applications regularly, I want to emphasize a few key points that might help: First, definitely keep detailed records of ALL medical expenses from 2024 forward - not just the big bills, but transportation costs, parking fees, meals during treatment days, and any out-of-pocket prescription costs. These add up quickly and schools can consider them in professional judgment reviews. Second, while FAFSA itself doesn't have a place for medical expenses, every school has the authority to make professional judgment adjustments. Some schools are much more generous with these than others, so don't assume one school's decision applies to all of them. Third, look into your state's specific programs for families dealing with cancer. Many states have supplemental aid programs that work alongside federal aid, and some schools are more aware of these resources than others. Finally, consider reaching out to cancer support organizations in your area - many have volunteers who specifically help families navigate financial aid and insurance issues during treatment. The American Cancer Society often has local volunteers who've been through similar FAFSA situations. Don't give up hope - there are people and programs designed to help families in exactly your situation, even if the system doesn't make it obvious at first glance.

I'm a college freshman whose mom went through cancer treatment during my senior year, so I understand exactly what you're dealing with. Here's what I wish someone had told me: 1. Start a medical expense tracker RIGHT NOW - include everything: gas for appointments, parking, co-pays, prescriptions, even meals you had to buy at the hospital. I used a simple Google sheet and it saved me when financial aid offices asked for documentation. 2. Don't wait until after acceptance to mention your situation. I included a brief note about our family's medical circumstances in the "additional information" section of applications. Several schools proactively reached out to discuss financial aid options. 3. The FAFSA formula is really rigid, but individual schools have way more flexibility than you'd think. I got completely different aid packages from schools with similar sticker prices because some were much more understanding about our circumstances. 4. Look into your state's cancer support resources - many have financial navigators who help with exactly this situation. In my state, they even had a list of colleges known for being flexible with medical hardship cases. 5. When you talk to financial aid offices, use specific terms like "professional judgment review" and "special circumstances adjustment" - it shows you know the system and often gets you connected to someone who can actually help. Your situation is tough, but there are people who want to help. Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself and your family. Wishing your mom the best with her treatment.

I'm a recent college graduate who went through a very similar situation - both my parents were over 65 when I applied, and my dad was dealing with prostate cancer while on a fixed retirement income. Here are some practical tips that really helped us: 1. For FAFSA reporting: Your mom's SSDI will be reported as untaxed income, but retirement account withdrawals that go back into qualified accounts (like required minimum distributions that get reinvested) may not count as income. Double-check this with a financial aid counselor. 2. The age factor actually works in your favor - the Asset Protection Allowance for parents over 65 is substantial. For the 2024-25 year, it was over $90,000 for couples where the older parent was 65+. This gets automatically calculated into your EFC/SAI. 3. Create a "hardship portfolio" with medical documentation, disability award letters, and a clear timeline of how your family's financial situation changed due to the cancer diagnosis. I made copies of everything and sent the same package to each school. 4. Consider community college for your first two years if your aid packages aren't sufficient. Many have excellent transfer agreements with 4-year schools, and the financial breathing room helped my family focus on dad's treatment without the stress of massive college bills. 5. Look into cancer-specific scholarships - organizations like Scholarships for Cancer Survivors, The National Children's Cancer Society, and even local cancer centers often have funds specifically for students in families affected by cancer. The system definitely isn't designed for families dealing with serious illness, but there are ways to work within it. Stay persistent and don't be afraid to appeal initial aid decisions.