2007-02-05 12:00:02 · 6 answers · asked by goin down fast 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
Afaik, there's no rational reason for this, except that the government expects parents to help foot the bill for their kid's college education. If everyone got to apply using only their own income, everyone would qualify for a ton of financial aid and there wouldn't be enough to go around. Kind of unfair, since a lot of people's parents won't help out, but if they didn't do it like that, a lot of parents would refuse to pay for their kid's college just so they could get more grant money and subsidised loans.
If you find you are not getting enough financial aid to cover your tuition and your parents can't or won't help you, go to your school's scholarship office and inquire about what scholarships and grants are available to students who meet need-based criteria. Sometimes schools don't advertise these to the general student population and you have to ask about them.
2007-02-05 13:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Venin_Noir 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are not supported by your parents, you can request a dependency override and be declared an independent student. Then you would not be required to provide their income. However, be prepared to prove that you receive no financial support from them, including things like insurance, your car, spending money, etc.
The reason is because the federal government thinks a college education is the responsibility of the parents, and turning 24, getting a bachelor's degree, getting married or having a child are about the only way around it. I'm not sure I recommend any of those except the degree. Good luck!
2007-02-05 14:02:53 · answer #2 · answered by College Advisor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Fed Govt your Senators and House of Representatives have deemed that til age23 or 24 they consider u incapable of living on your own plus they have reduced the number of programs of assistance til recently. Their formula stipulates that your family is obligated to contribute to your education as well as yourself.
Long, long ago... the upper middle and very wealthy would send their children off to college as Independent adults, therefore qualifying for financial aid. So to close the loop hole, Congress made 24 as the year truly self supporting for college students.
But there are lots of exceptions: Orphans, college students with special circumstances may qualify for consideration as independent status vs. dependent. So if you have special circumstances get your rear over to financial aid and deans office to see what is available to you.
The sad truth is because of a few... the majority of students suffer the consequences. You need to be seeing what is offered by alumni from your school, civic groups, and seeking sponsors. Try to not take out too many loans. You don't want to be paying for your education for two decades... good luck
2007-02-05 13:43:01 · answer #3 · answered by Staci 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am in the same predicament. What you need to do is call the financial aid councellor at the college you plan to attend and tell them the circumstances as to why you dont live with your parents and somtimes special allowances are made on the fafsa for that.(I.E.: History of abuse)
2007-02-05 13:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by Lady Rachel sweet and divine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are 23 or 24 you are still considered to be under the parents income umbrella as far as financial aid for school is concerned.
2007-02-05 12:07:22 · answer #5 · answered by Izzy Queen of the Trolls 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are claiming dependent (your parents supporting you), then yes. If you are claiming independent I don't think you need to.
2007-02-05 13:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by mcrystal107 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋