Will my parents bankruptcy effect my brother getting loans for college?

My parents filed for bankruptcy about 2 years ago. This year my brother is graduating from high school and hopefully will start college. They can’t pay for tuition out of pocket, so they are relying on scholarships and loans. What kind of effect will bankruptcy have on him getting student loans?

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3 Comments at "Will my parents bankruptcy effect my brother getting loans for college?"

spalmer March 17th, 2010 (#)

Bankruptcy will have no affect on him getting federal stafford loans through the fafsa program (he’ll have to fill out an application). If he’s graduating this May, he needs to fill this application out immediately (some state deadlines have already passed). Http://www.fafsa.ed.gov — for the application. The site will state which documents he’ll need in order to complete the application. He will qualify for up to $5,500/year as a dependent freshman in federal loans. The bankruptcy will affect your parents ability to take out a PLUS loan for him, and their ability to cosign for him in private loans (not recommended anyways). Grants are available (by filling out the fafsa application) for those students with the most financial need — so, he may qualify for grant money as well. Scholarships he’ll have to apply for separately. Good luck to him!

Abby G March 17th, 2010 (#)

Your parent’s bankruptcy will only affect their ability to take out a PLUS Loan, for your brother. The good news is that a PLUS Loan is the very LAST option in Financial Aid. If your brother applies for financial aid and and scholarships he may qualify for grant funds to help pay for part or all of his educational expenses and he may not need a loan at all. Apply for financial aid at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ .

For more information:
http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/

Mario March 17th, 2010 (#)

careers.scienceontheweb.net – it provides some tips about applying to US federal and state grants for college students.