Fed Financial
Is there any way to apply for financial aid without a parent?
My mom keeps postponing on helping me apply.
Public Comments
- Not really..The government goes by your parents income to see if you qualify for state funds...however, you may could qualify for a scholarship from the college on your own..and most colleges have different programs to help students so I would check with the college you would like to attend and ask about funding such as scholarships and extra funding without a parents knowledge...hope this helps....melissa
- Yes, become an emancipated minor.
- Yes, you can and I would encourage you to begin applying on your own. Do you know about Fafsa? Well if not, you need to learn about it. The site is fafsa.ed.gov. You do need your parent’s financial information... W-2 (or whatever they get from their job, most people it is a W2) and tax return. You can fill out most of the paperwork on your own. Your mother (or primary care giver) has to sign off on it, which I believe she can do online (though that may be only after the first year). You have to sign off as well. You will also need all your financial information as well, plus your SS# etc. I believe the site tells you exactly what you need to fill out the proper paperwork before you even start. Any information that does not change yearly (like the tax returns and W2s) you should keep in a folder in a safe place, that way you have it for next year. Basically, the site takes all your information; income, family size etc. to determine how much they believe your family can contribute towards your education. When you have finished the form, Fafsa will give you an EFC (expected family contribution – a total dollar amount your family could contribute according to their calculations). They send this information to your school, and to the powers that be to determine who gets what in grants and scholarships based on need. The lower your EFC, the better your chances of getting need based aid. I am not sure when you are looking to start school, but if it isn't until Fall 2008, you have to wait until you have your tax information for 2007. The fiscal year (sept -august) is based on the previous calendar year (jan-dec). So if you are applying for aid in the spring, (jan-may) you should apply ASAP. In fact, you have missed (by a long shot) the priority deadline. That basically means that they have already distributed most of the funds, and your chances of aid are significantly decreased. If you get stumped with any of the fafsa stuff, call your financial aid office (at the school you are planning to attend). They do know a bit about it, and could probably walk you through it, if need be. Also, I should make a quick note. If you are independent (your parents do not claim you on their taxes) you do not need any of their information. It does not affect your aid. Chances are, you are dependant, but I just thought I would mention that. Most traditional students (17-22 yr old) are dependant (which is usually a good thing, you have their help and health insurance, which you can't have if you are independent). Beyond fafsa... there are many scholarships you can apply for at any time. Some people swear by fastweb, but I never cared much for it. I would suggest you contact your college and see what they offer, as well as any scholarships you can get through your HS and local businesses. I find these are easier to get (fastweb just has so many applicants). There is more I could get into about loans etc. but I think I have already written to much, and this should get you on your way anyways. Good luck... paying for school is no easy task, but it is certainly worth it.
- if you fill out a FAFSA and are younger than 23 then you have to put your parents income. the government considers you dependent until your 23. unless you can prove your not by emancipation. really hard to do this unless you can prove you live on your own pay your own bills which means you would need a job. i just started school because i had to wait til i was 23 to get aid with my parents income i didnt qualify for aid. and they didnt help me pay any of it. i wasnt even living with them i was independent but government says otherwise. u have to get something from court i think that says your independent from them. good luck if you want to go down that path. call college and ask how you could do it. it sucked for me cause i waited but now i get full financial aid and even a refund since i dont have to put my parents and im only working partime.
