FASFA (college student Aide)?

Question

ok..
even though...

-i dont live with my parents & havent in over 2 years
&
-i recieve no support from them

according to FASFA (free application for federal student aide...aka.. financial aid)

i am still a dependant of my parents b/c im:

1. not married
2. not a ward of the court/state
3. parents arent dead
4. not 24 or older
5. not working on a masters degree
6. dont have kids
7. have not served for the armed forces.

It's such bullshit. so they are basically telling me that the fact that i live on my own & support myself is my own problem because i should be with my parents & supported by them until im 24 or married. you know.. i wish i did but unfortunately for me - my family doesnt want kids in their households anymore.

if i dont get financial aid - ill never go to school. :(
i cant afford it and no one will help me.

ideas? encouragement?

Answer 1

Those 7 things are the ways to *automatically* be considered independent. There are other ways.

Basically, they don't ask "Are you self-supporting?" because such a thing can't easily be quantified or proven. Let's face it: no one really WANTS to have to pay for college. Most parents would say "I refuse to pay for my child's education" if they knew that the statement would garner the student some additional funding. The government does not have the money to fund that many so-called independent students, so the pool of available Federal Student Aid funding (which was already cut significantly) would dry up -- and there would be no funding left for the students who truly are self-supporting and need assistance.

Part of the problem is that the Federal Student Aid system is based on the idea that the primary responsibility for college financing rests on the student and the parent. Under this system, the government only steps in when the family's ability to pay falls short of what is needed. Refusal to pay is not considered sufficient cause for a student to be deemed independent.

So, what can you -- a self-supporting, young undergraduate -- do? Well, the government realizes that there are more family situations than the FAFSA can possibly encompass. This is why, built into the law, is a provision that allows college Financial Aid administrators to "override" a student's dependency status. This provision is known as "Professional Judgment" (PJ). Under PJ, most schools will allow students to submit documentation that they are independent. Each school will have slightly different requirements, so I would encourage you to get in touch with your school's financial aid office and see what they require. In most cases, a school will want you to produce documents showing that you are estranged from your family, have suffered abuse, are unable to reach your parents, or have parents who are incapacitated, Some schools might allow you to submit documentation that you are self-supporting. For this, you will probably need to show that you, alone, have provided for everything you need -- your own housing, transportation, food, insurance, clothing etc -- and have not received support from your parents in any form. The more documents you can submit, the better.

Answer 2

You have two options.

1. Wait till you turn 24.

2. Talk to your financial aid counselor at the school. Explain the situation. You're going to have to be able to prove, on paper, that you are self-sufficient - that you paid your own rent and utilities, that you didn't receive money from your parents or anyone else, and that you weren't claimed as a dependent on their tax returns.

Just FYI, the reason that this is done is because the government feels it is a family's responsibility to pay for education as well as taxpayers. If this didn't exist, any student could say, "I support myself and I made $1000 last year" and get a ton in grants even if their parents made millions.

Good luck!

Answer 3

sorry that you dont like the rules but it is what it is. if they considered every 18 year old to be independent the govt and schools would be footing the educational bills for everyone who goes to college. lots of people's parents do not support them and they manage to go to school despite the financial aid limitations. the only good alternative I can see is to start at a junior college where you should be able to easily afford the expenses

Answer 4

Talk to your prospective school. If you can prove that you live on your own (a lease for your apartment and utility bills are good) you may be able to get classified as an adult. Those laws are all very old and can sometimes be bent a little.

Answer 5

If that is the truth you are an exception. Go to the college that you want to go to and they will help you apply for financial aid.

Answer 6

You have to try again because I know of people that have applied by themselves and they got grants for school. They make their own money and file income tax for their earnings. Now if you can file an income tax return or prove you have your own earnings then maybe you can qualify like that. But you should be able to qualify.