Does anyone know anything about how to fill out a FAFSA form if you don't have contact with your parents, but you're not married either? I have never been able to fill out a FAFSA form b/c it requires parent information that I don't have. I know this is pretty random... Thanks ya'll
This is a tough one, based upon knowing part of your situation. I would have to check, but I believe you can fill it out as an "independent student" if you are over 23 or 25 (I believe it is 25 now). Otherwise the parents are required to provide financial information. I believe the only way around this is to "prove" extenuating circumstances of estrangement and/or abandonment. Considering your case, I would speak to the financial aid office at the college you wish to attend. They should be able to guide you through this.
OVERVIEW Financial aid regulations assume that the student and the parents have primary responsibility for meeting the educational costs of post-secondary education. The level of contribution is based on ability to pay, not on willingness to pay. If a student can answer YES to at least ONE question in Step Three of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the student is considered "independent" for financial aid purposes, meaning no parent information is to be reported on the FAFSA. The Step Three questions: * Were you born before January 1, 19XX (making you 24 or older)? * Are you working on a masterâ??s or doctorate program? * Are you married as of day you file FAFSA? * Have children who receive more than half of their support from you? * Have dependents (other than your children or spouse)? * Are you an orphan, or are you/were you (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court? * Are you a veteran of the US Armed Forces? * Are you currently active duty military personnel for other than training purposes? PARENTS RELUCTANT TO HELP? What if your parents refuse to file the FAFSA with you or help pay for college expenses? Visit www.FinAid.org for a frank discussion on the subject. IRRECONCILABLE BREAK WITH PARENTS? Per federal regulations, a student may be considered independent if a financial aid administrator determines and documents the studentâ??s independent status based on unusual circumstances. Unusual circumstances are those circumstances, which, in the professional judgment of a financial aid administrator, warrant the student to be considered independent. Examples would include situations in which the studentâ??s parents are physically or mentally incapacitated. In such cases as disinheritance, parentsâ?? refusal to file any information, or other unique circumstances, the student may not meet the usual requirements for independence, but have no parentsâ?? contribution on which to rely. A financial aid administrator may treat such students as independent if institutional policy permits and judicious review merits such consideration. If a student fails to meet the FAFSA criteria for independent student status and can document an irreconcilable break in relationship with each of their parents, they should discuss the situation with a financial aid counselor.
Thanks guys...I'm only 22 so I'm afraid I'll have to go find a financial aid adviser and see what happens.
