As a federally funded grant program, we (TRIO) are required to verify the income status of every student who applies and enrolls in our program. Please read carefully through the following instructions before filling out and submitting this form:
- If your parent/s or guardian/s claimed you as a dependent on their taxes, then you will need to work with them and use their most recent tax transcripts to complete this form. If you, the student, were not claimed as a dependent and are financially independent, then complete this form using your most recent tax transcripts. Please note: Financially independent would be someone who is at least 24 years old as of January 2022, is married, is a veteran of the US Armed Forces, an emancipated minor, and/or is or was an orphan or a ward of the court until age 18.
- Collect copies of the most recent 1040 tax transcripts for the appropriate person/s as defined in the previous paragraph. If you need assistance obtaining copies of tax transcripts, you can follow the instructions on the IRS website here.
- Identify family size. Family size is defined as the total number of family members identified on whichever tax transcript you are using. For example, if you have parents who are married and filed jointly, have claimed you and two siblings as dependents, then you would have a total family size of five people. If you are financially independent, as defined above, family size is defined as the total number of family members on your tax return transcript.
- To identify your family’s taxable income, refer to line 15 of the 1040 tax form.