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My father passed away the day before my 7th grade year of cancer. I'm now a junior and my mom is remarried and a stay home mom. My step dad won't be paying for my college and my mom said she'll give me some money from her and my father's bank account.. but it won't be much. Is there some scholarships for children of deceased parents?

By rcd on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 12:37 pm: Edit

Do you receive Social Security benefits or did your stepdad adopt you?

By nyc1000 on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 12:28 am: Edit

Most of the top schools offer very full need-based aid and some offer merit scholarships as well. For the problem of a stepdad not contributing, I recommend you post your question on the parents' board of Princeton Review. There are several financial aid experts among them who could possibly give you good advice. Good luck!

By mustanglover on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 11:44 am: Edit

My mom is currently receiving social security for me and my step dad didn't adopt me.

By rcd on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 02:20 pm: Edit

That's better for you, from the finaid point of view. I believe your SS benefits will continue until you reach 21 if you are a full-time college student, unless the rules have changed lately. If your college will accept payment on the 9 or 12 month plan, you could apply your SS checks to that. Hopefully, there won't be problem in directing 100% of the benefits to your college needs after you have moved from home. As you are a jr., you might see if your mom could save as much as possible out of each monthly check until you enroll - it would sure help out on your 1st year's expenses. Good luck to you.

By Tigerpaw313 (Tigerpaw313) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 06:44 pm: Edit

My father died of a very rare form of liver cancer 5 years ago. I am now a senior in high school and am looking for a way to get to college financialy. My mother has never remarried since my father passed away. She never went to college so therefore doesn't have a college degree. She has a job but nothing compared to what she would have if she had a degree. I am doing everything i can to find a way to college because my mother has 2 other children to support and this is all way to hard for her. My dream is to attend Auburn University, but i need help financialy getting there.

By Ckr1147 (Ckr1147) on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 11:14 pm: Edit

tiger paw - War Eagle! Good luck with your dream - you can do it...see if your guidance counselor can help with apps for financial aid...are you an AL resident? I am an Auburn alum and loved it there...I'm sure it has changed alot, tho.

By Morgant13 (Morgant13) on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 04:39 pm: Edit

MY SONS DAD DIED WHEN HE WAS 5. HE IS NOW 18 & GOING TO COLLEGE IN AUGUST. THIS IS THE INFO FROM SS. WE ALSO THOUGHT IT WAS THRU COLLEGE, IT IS NOT.
SOCIAL SECURITY WEBSITE
Question
Will a child age 19 and attending college/trade school still be eligible to receive surviors benefits?

Answer
No. To receive benefits, the child must:

- be unmarried; and
- be under age 18; or
- be 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or
- be 18 or older and disabled from a disability that started before age 22.

Normally, benefits stop when children reach age 18 unless they are disabled. However, if the child is still a full-time student at a secondary (or elementary) school at age 18, benefits generally can continue until the child graduates or until two months after the child becomes age 19, whichever is first.