Since I am under the age of 24 my FAFSA is determined by my parents income?

Question

This is unfair considering they do not conribute towards my education at all or financially in any way. I have lived on my own since I was 16. I talked to the financial aid department and they told me it was a "moral" law for parents to pay for undergrad. I am having a lot of difficulty figuring out how to pay for school. PLEASE HELP.

Answer 1

It's not exactly a "moral law" that parents will pay, but the Federal Student Aid regs are based on the notion that the cost of a student's undergraduate education is, first and foremost, to be shared between the student and the parent...

That said, if you have provided for yourself since age 16, you might be a good candidate for a Dependency Override, which is a type of "Professional Judgment" decision that only your Financial Aid Office can perform.

Here's how a dependency override works:

Technically, you can't be considered independent unless ...

* you are 24 or older
* you are married
* you have dependents other than a spouse
* you are a veteran of the US armed forces
* you are an orphan or ward of the court
* you are pursuing an advanced degree
* you have a prior bachelor's degree

However, we all know that there really are cases in which a "technically" dependent student is really independent. There ARE provisions in the Federal Student Aid regulations that allow for a school (not the feds or the student) to make exceptions to a student's depdendency status. Most schools will make exceptions in cases of abuse or the death of the students' parents. Many schools will also make exceptions if you can document that you truly are completely self-suffient. You will need to submit proof that the following statements have been true of your situation for a while (usually about 2 years)...

* your parents don't claim you on their tax return
* you pay for your own housing, food, utilities, etc.
* you pay for your own health insurance
* you pay for your own transportation (and, if you have a car, the car insurance)
* you don't receive any other in-kind support

If you think you can submit this information, give your school a call and ask them what their specific policy is. They should have one in place and you have every right to know what it is.

Remember: if you submit fraudulent information your school can deny you aid and you may be subject to other penalties. And remember that covering your tracks doesn't simply stop at your tax return: your school's financial aid office can request just about anything if it believes that it has received conflicting information.

Your school has a reason to be picky when it comes to these things: Financial Aid offices are subject to annual audits. If their auditors pull your file and notice that undocumented exceptions to your dependency status have been made, their ability to give financial aid (to anyone, including you) can be seriously jeopardized

{Note: being granted an "emancipation" from your parents by the state won't automatically make you eligible to receive Federal Student Aid as an independent student.}

Answer 2

I had the same problem because i was out on my own when i was 15 didnt even know my Dad and they were asking for social etc. You just have to take your tax records up there showing that you filed alone(since you are on your own) and talk to the financial aid people at your school. The school cant force you to get information from your parents that you dont have especially since you've been out on your own. Just talk to the head of the financial aid department get it done dont settle. Start crying if you have to. Yeah i agree something isnt right with this. Theres a way you probally arent trying hard enough.

Answer 3

Hi, Pinklilly:
I'm a financial aid administration in a local college. Unfortunately, the federal government understand that an unmarried, non-veteran, without dependents, younger than 24 y/o student must have the parent's financial support for studies.

Being "emancipated" is not enough (see source below). Filing your taxes on your own and reporting yourself as an exemption is not enough either. To declare you independent from your parents, your Financial Aid Administrator (FAA) would have to do a "Professional Judgment" which requires extenuating circumstances beyond not wanting to help paying tuition.

Talk to your FAA in terms of looking for other grants based on GPA, service, Work-Study, etc. Talk to your religious leader, professional student association, friends and relatives for other grants.

Visit www.fastweb.com. There you can do a good search of possible sources based on your personalized profile.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I had a similar issue when I was younger. If your parents claimed you on their taxes within the last 3 years, then yes, their income is used to determine eligibility. The exception to that is if you are married, or can document or prove an unwillingness to help you on your parents part, for example- you have been disowned, you testified against them in court, some other terrible family snafu. Contact FAFSA people directly or find another financial aid counselor that can help you. Having jerks for parents shouldnt prevent you from getting an education

Answer 5

Talk to the financial administrator at your school to see if there's any way to declare yourself independent. I was under 24 when I started law school, and I distinctly remember NOT having to report my parent's income on my FAFSA. I don't remember if it was unique to law school or if I fit another exception. Regardless, contact your financial aid office ASAP.

Answer 6

Become "an Emancipated Minor" by the family courts and than only your Income will be used. There are some criteria for this and it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Check in your local Family Court or Legal Aide.

Answer 7

Somethings not right with that. I completed my fafsa form earlier this year and it specified that if u didn't live with your parents that their income shouldn't be considered. U should try to talk to someone else about it. Good Luck

Answer 8

only if they claim you as a dependant on their income taxes. otherwise, you will probably get some financial aid if you're on your own.