So I've mentioned this DC internship I've been working towards. I got the online application sent in on December 2nd, but then I found out all of these extra things I needed to get sent in: my transcript, a summary of my financial aid from Campbell, a letter of recommendation, and either my FAFSA form or a parent's tax return. The first three were easy to do and were taken care of within a week. The last one, however? Not so much.
See, I didn't apply for FAFSA (I know! That's uncommon for someone as poor as me, but since I have Uncle Ed and my Campbell-given scholarship, I didn't see the point in taking money away from someone else.), so that wasn't an option. That means I had to get a parent's tax return that listed me as a dependent. I didn't even bother with it until I got home for break, knowing Mom would never remember or have the time to find it on her own.
Due to work and a zillion other things, she put it off till this weekend. Meanwhile. I was getting phone calls and emails from the Financial Aid department of the group running the program, saying that if I didn't get this tax return in by the 21st, I would lose the 5% discount and the priority scholarship consideration. And even if it was after the 21st, they still wouldn't even process my application until they got it. So we had to do it.
Because people moved in and out of this house, and furniture was moved in and out, and then when I was in the hospital and people came over to help, etc., things got moved. She said all the paperwork and stuff we needed would be in her closet and the garage. We had to find recent years, too. Why? Because a) that's what they asked for, and b) when I received Social Security because of my dad dying, she was legally not allowed to list me as a dependent. I thought that my Social Security ended when I graduated high school in June of '09. Turns out, it actually didn't end until I turned 18 in June of '10.
I didn't find this out until today. That means I am not listed as her dependent on her 2009 or 2010 (or any year before) tax records. The application online says the tax return has to list me as a dependent. So no FAFSA, no eligible tax return, and I'm supposed to get something faxed to them tomorrow.
Hm.
Well, on the upside, my mom and I didn't have to stay up half the night searching through boxes and boxes of mail and paperwork to find things. But then I started to panic about how I was going to look bad, or apathetic, or lazy to these people if they didn't receive this tomorrow when I promised them they would. Mom to the rescue! I know it's sort of childish considering I'm 19 years old, but tomorrow, Mom is calling the lady I've been talking to (the head of the Financial Aid department) and explaining to her that I didn't apply for FAFSA, and none of her tax returns list me as a dependent because of the Social Security. Part of the reason is I'm a chicken and nervous about having to tell her I couldn't send something like I said I would, and part of it is because I feel like hearing it from her would sort of be verification to the people that I wasn't trying to cheat the system or not follow the necessary instructions or anything.
I really, really, really want this internship. And I certainly don't want a stupid piece of paper to destroy my chance at getting it. This lady has seemed friendly and understanding the few times I've talked to her, so I really hope and pray that she is the same with Mom.
And that reminds me, I still haven't told y'all what this internship is about! I'll get on that ASAP.
Now, it's late. I've spent basically this entire weekend either babysitting or helping Mom in some fashion, so I am exhausted. Good night.
Soo, how did it go calling them?
ReplyDelete