How do i divorce my parents to get full FAFSA independence status?
538075
You only have to have lived in your own place for 1 year and rely only on your income as far as reporting the income on the application. Go to your local community college and ask to speak with a financial aid adviser or the one at the college that you intend on attending.
251120
I think the laws are state wide- I have a 21 year old friend, who was looking into becoming emancipated for financial reasons. He's been out on his own since age 17, with no support from anyone in his family (admirable, huh?). Yet he's having probelms with financial aid for school because they will not, in our great state of Pennsylvania, condiser you financially responsible for yourself until you are 23. Anyway, he looked into the process and from what I understand, there really ISN'T a way-- at least he had no luck and that was the end result of his research.\nGood luck though- I hope for your sake that I'm wrong.
359360
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/\nRemember that for filling the FAFSA you and one of your parents (if dependant) will need a pin, you should apply for pins at\nhttp://www.pin.ed.gov/\n\nGood Luck!
1119162
Financial Aid is almost always affected by a student's suspended status (You do mean suspended as opposed to "probation," right?).  In order to be eligible for Federal Student Aid, a student must maintain "Satisfactory Academic Progress" (SAP) as determined by his/her school's SAP policy. At most schools, this means that you need either \n\n(a) pass a a certain percentage of your classes, \n(b) pass a certain number of classes, \n(c) maintain a certain GPA or\n(d) a combination of 1 or more of the above\n\nSince you were already suspended (instead of being placed on probation), you should have been (or will soon be) notified of the affect that this action has on your financial aid. Quite simply, if you aren't in school, you can't receive financial aid.  But when you come back to school, if you do well enough to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, you will once again be able to obtain federal aid (and probably anything else, too). \n\nKeep in mind that, for suspended students, regaining "good standing" usually entails attending school for a little while (e.g. a semester) *without* the assistance of financial aid.  You need that first semester to prove that you have made SAP.\n\nSo, to "get yourself back on track," you will need to focus on your academics above all else.  Now that you understand *why* you did poorly, you have a chance to improve. Sometimes taking a break is good, but don't stay away too long.  As soon as you are able, petition to return from suspension. Only once you bring your grades up can the financial aid issues be resolved. \n\nWhile you are out of school, you can complete the FAFSA (just so your school has it on file), but don't expect to get any federal or state aid until your school tells you "yes, you have made satisfactory academic progress."  By all means, apply for outside scholarships for the semester that you plan to return. Check their eligibility criteria to see if the awards are need-based or merit-based and whether the organization will require SAP (some do).\n\n---------------------------\n\nAll that said, many schools will also have procedures in place for you to appeal a financial aid suspension/probationary status. In general, in a letter appealing a financial aid probation/suspension, you would probably want to explain why you failed your class and what you plan to do to remedy this situation. If there were personal issues that contributed to your less-than-ideal performance, mention these (if you are comfortable doing so).
535594
Did you apply for FAFSA and scholarships?   That's the only way to do it.
5993
It completely depends upon your income (if independent) and/or the income or your parent or guardian (if you are their dependent).  As far as FAFSA is concerned, becoming independent means that there is no one else besides you that can be held responsible for the costs of your education.  Therefore, you could stand to make out pretty well with government loans if your personal income is less than that of your parents.  \nI was just going through making this decision myself because, although I am financially independent, FAFSA still considers me my parents' dependent because I am not yet 24 (when you turn 24 you become an "Adult Student" in the eyes of FAFSA, whatever that means...).  I would get much more financial aid if I could file independently, but they will not allow me to.
155131
no\n\ngo to the fafsa website.  everything you need to know is there.\n\nhttp://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
473901
As far as Federal Student Aid is concerned, your situation is a little complicated.  If your brother is dependent and his parents are living, he is *required* to put his parents income information on the FAFSA, regardless of where they live.  If they have no income, that's fine -- just put $0.  However, if he does not complete the section that asks for parent information, his FAFSA will be rejected until he fills in ALL of the required fields. \n\nFederal Student Aid regulations do not recognize "grandparents, legal guardians, and foster parents" as parents when it comes to the FAFSA.   It may sound weird or unfair, I know, but, unfortunately, the regulations that govern Federal Aid have not quite caught up with the wide variety of living situations that exist in these days.  In order for you to be considered your brother's guardian as far as financial aid goes, you would *literally* have to adopt him. \n\nBut don't go that far... As it stands right now, your brother should be able to obtain Federal Student Aid by doing one of the following:\n\n(a) Entering his parents' information on the FAFSA -- income, assets, name, date of birth... all of it.\n(b) Going to his school's Financial Aid Office to ask what documentation they need to classify him as an independent student.  Schools make these changes *at their discretion*, so in order for the Dependency Appeal to be processed and approved, he should be able to explain how he supports himself without the aid of his parents.  (Your school may also be willing to approve a Dependency Appeal simply on the grounds that your parents live outside the U.S., so he should just be honest when he asks.) Don't worry: Being considered independent often makes a student eligible for MORE money, not less.
1172329
For most traditional students, FAFSA considers you a dependent student.  This means that they consider both your parent's income, even if they are divorced or estranged.  If combined your parents make more than $75,000 a year, you would not be eligible for the Pell Grant.  One thing you could do is to tell your financial aid office about your situation and see if they would adjust your EFC.  \n\nSecondly, there are plently of scholarships abound for children of veterans.  However, this tends to vary by state, so once again, it is best that you talk to your financial aid counselor about this.\n\nIf you are looking for a part-time job, some have tuition reimbursement.  UPS and Fed-Ex offer similiar programs.  Being a package handler is not the best of jobs, but they do pay for up to $10,000 a year in tuition.
831450
I have a similar answer to the previous poster, but telling them you are emancipated isn't going to help you.  "Emancipation" is a legal term, and doesn't apply to you anyway since you're 19.  You MAY be able to file as an independent student if you filed your own taxes, earned a certain minimum income last year, and were NOT claimed on your parents' tax returns.  If you were, then you're out of luck unless you're married or have a child of your own.  Your state may have scholarships or loans for which you can apply, especially in such small dollar amounts.  In what state you do you live and go to school?
627687
You need to go through the courts.  Have a child support order made by the courts, with an income deduction order, so that the money is just taken from his check and deposited into your account (no more bounced check worrries).  I went through what you are going through for years until I finally went to the courts.  By this point my ex was $14000 in the hole but had purchased a new car, enrolled in college for his masters degree, and was living great.  But whenever I questioned him about it, he would tell me how hard he was struggling and that he just couldn't do any better.  I, however, was living on a prayer and wish, maxing out credit card for grocery and clothing for my son.  And wondering if I would ever be able to get out of the hole he'd made.   \n\n\nIt took 10 months for the courts to straighten everything out.  I requested that I keep my son's insurance on my policy because my exhusband was very unstable and changed jobs a lot.  They had no problems with that.  They garnished his income tax refund for the next 3 years and made it very clear to him that his child was first in his life, not his new apartment  or car or school. \n\nHe pays the very least a non-custodial parent can pay.  I was not trying to break him, I just wanted my son to have the benefit of both parent's income.  Which I think is his right.  \n\nThink of it as fighting for your children.  You would never let anyone else take anything from them or cheat them.  Don't let their father.  If they lived with him, he wouldn't have a choice about taking care of them.  He shouldn't just because ya'll aren't together.  \n\nYou don't need a lawyer.  Just go to your local office for Child support enforcement.  If you don't know where it is, search child support and your state's name.  \n\nAlso, think about life insurance policy -- child support orders normally require both parent carry one because you need that assurance in the event of an untimely death.  \n\n\nGood Luck!!
422574
have you try applying for a pell grant or any scholarship at the college you want to go to. there is alot more help for single parents than married ones.try at your local college and see what they said and go from there. also you can get school loans. the only bad thing is if you stop going to school the loan company will demand that you start paying because you are not in school any more.  but before you go that route try the pell or/and scholarships. or heck have a garage sale or bake sale and make money that way. where there's a will there's a way. good luck
910103
If you have been out on your own for 2 yrs, have you been paying income taxes? If you have, then you are independent and your dad is guilty of tax fraud. IRS will have records of that. Apply for the student grants and loans as an independent student. Look up the department of children and families in your state. You will have to apply for medical, food stamps, and cash assistance; you can do this all on the same application. Medical is the easiest to get, but also the most difficult program to understand. Food stamps depends on how much your total income it (whether from work, loans, etc. - it doesn't matter). Cash assistance is difficult to get on unless you make very little and you probably won't qualify for it. Also, list EVERYTHING on your application, if you are not honest, they will deny your claim and prevent you from getting future help. You will have to have pay stubs, copies of your driver's license and SS card, etc. e-mail me if you have any other questions- ladydavonia@yahoo.com.\n\nGood luck
385552
have you filled out the free FAFSA form with the federal government?  there are 3 types of aid you can get after you  get approved. \nThe first one is the Pell Grants  and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants. Next there are Work study programs that help. Then there are the loans such as the Perkins and Stafford loans and the Parent plus loans that you can get which are based on your parents income\n\nBe leery of scams that finds scholarships for you for a fee.\n The best thing to do is go to your school's fin aid office and see what programs they can help you with.\nBest of luck to you with your studies
976887
You can get your school to declare you as an independent, but it requires more forms. It's kind of hard. I'm sort of in the same situation as you. I'm in touch with my parents, but get no monetary support from them. I couldn't get declared as an independent because I do have contact with them. It's worth a shot though. Just go talk to your financial aid office at the school, and they can explain it in detail. They're pretty helpful if you just take the first step and ask for some help.
565252
Technically, yes, you're not entitled to financial aid if they're asking for your parents' info and you don't provide it.  BUT you should be able to work with your school's Financial Aid Office to submit documentation of your independence so that your FAFSA will become valid without parent info...  Here's the process and the reasoning behind it. \n\nA student is automatically considered independent if he/she...\n\n* is 24 or older\n* is married\n* has dependents other than a spouse\n* is a veteran of the US armed forces\n* is an orphan or ward of the court\n* is pursuing an advanced degree\n* has a prior bachelor's degree\n\nHowever, you can "appeal" to be considered independent at any age. Schools know that there 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 you yourself) 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)... \n\n* your parents don't claim you on their tax return\n* you pay for your own housing, food, utilities, etc.\n* you pay for your own health insurance\n* you pay for your own transportation (and, if you have a car, the car insurance)\n* you don't receive any other in-kind support\n\nIf 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.\n\nNow, what makes you say that you can't get loans because you aren't 21?  I can think of plenty of Freshmen who have gotten loans on their own.  If you have a year or two of credit history, you might have an easier time getting a loan than you think.  if you've never tried to apply for a private educational loan before, check out some of these: http://www.finaid.org/loans/privatestudentloans.phtml
306446
Being married is one of the criteria for being considered independent for Federal Student Aid purposes.  Being considered independent, in turn, means that\n\n(a) you are no longer required to include your parents' income/asset information on your FAFSA\n(b) you must include your spouse's income/asset information on your FAFSA\n\nThis can be a good or bad thing, depending on how much money your spouse makes.  Most undergraduate students would benefit from this status simply because their spouse would probably make less than their parents did.  However, it is worth noting that there are instances in which a student would become *less* needy by marrying (and therfore, potentially eligible for less financial aid)...\n\n(1) If you are a graduate student, you would already be considered independent and therefore would *already* not be including your parents' information on your FAFSA.  Were you to marry someone with any kind of income or assets, you would have to report those amounts, so it is likely that your EFC would increase with this newfound "wealth."\n\n(2) Independent students are subject to a different EFC formula than dependent students.  The calculation is far too long to display here, but if you're curious as to what it takes into consideration, check here: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/efcinformation/attachments/0607EFCFormulaGuideDecFinal.pdf\n\nMost notable of everything in this link is that the income and asset "conversion rates" are higher for independent students than they are for dependent students.  What does this mean?  Say, for example, that your new spouse had exactly the same income/assets as your parents.  Even if everything else was the same (age, number in household, state of residence), your EFC as the married student would be higher because your spouse's income/assets would be "converted" (i.e. counted against you) at a higher rate than if they belonged to your parents.\n \nAs far as actual awards...\n\nIf is worth noting, that if you are an independent *undergraduate* student, you will be entitled to an additional $4,000 in Unsubsidized Stafford Loan funding (this number increases to $5,000 for your Junior and Senior years).  Note: Graduate students are eligible for much more Stafford loan funding than undergrads.