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FAFSA question

Zysoclaplem

Diamond Member
I am filling out my fafsa online, and I don't receive any help from my parents at all. I am 23, and moved out when I was 17, worked full time since then. I couldn't get my mom to give me her financial info, and my dad is disabled and does not work.
Could I just fill my mom's financial info in as zero, since that should cause my EFC to be zero, which it will be. Or is that fraud? I know she makes money, but she says it's none of my business, no matter what it's for. But I really need a grant if possible.
 
I think as long as you don't live with your parents, and they aren't providing any financial aid, you could put them as 0. Don't quote me on this, i'm not 100% sure. BTW, Your mother sounds very rude.

Is there phone line you can call? Can you talk to your college/universities Financial Aid department? I'm sure they'll provide much better information than anyone here could.
 
Originally posted by: Actaeon
I think as long as you don't live with your parents, and they aren't providing any financial aid, you could put them as 0. Don't quote me on this, i'm not 100% sure. BTW, Your mother sounds very rude.

Is there phone line you can call? Can you talk to your college/universities Financial Aid department? I'm sure they'll provide much better information than anyone here could.


I agree
 
unfortunately, that would be fraud. As far as FAFSA is concerned as long as you are under 25 (might be 24) no matter what you are a dependant of your parents - even if they dont provide one cent to you and you live across the country. I have a friend that is in the same situation - you CAN fill out a form that "declares" you independant from your parents, but I believe your parents have to sign the form also - call FAFSA, im sure someone would know for sure.
 
Wow, your mom sounds like a real winner.

Sorry I can't help with the question.
 
My girlfriend's mom abaondoned her, moved to a different state with a drug-dealer that beat her, ended up homeless and living in a tent for a while before the drug dealer got arrested, and then eventually moved in with the first new guy that would take sex as a form of payment for rent.

My girlfriend STILL needed to get her mom's tax info (which did not exist) to fill out the FAFSA. She went through a very long and annoying process to get officially recognized as financially independent by the FAFSA people. It took about a year for it to all be worked out.
 
Call the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (if hearing impaired) and ask for a free copy of The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the US Department of Education. This toll free hotline is run by the US Department of Education and can answer questions about federal and state student aid programs and applications. You can also write to

Federal Student Aid Information Center
PO Box 84
Washington, DC 20044

 
I didn't see anything on the form about being dependant for 6 years. It never asked.
She is not so much rude as she is selfish. She and her new husband just bought a huge house, 2 cars, 3 goats, 2 horses, a huge tractor. I asked her if she would help me out and she said she isn't made of money.
I'm not sure if there is a line to call. I am just going to fill it out and see what happens. I'd like to go for the spring semester, but I don't know if I will be able to get the info back in time.
I have to work full time, and I am going for no less than a BA, but that will take almost a decade going part time from what I hear. I might have to go full time and work full time. It's gonna be crazy.
 
Don't know what to tell you, you'll have to ask them what you need to do. I'm sure they run into this all the time. It's hard, because FAFSA assumes that parents will help out with college, but there's really no obligation for them to do so. My parents never gave me money for college.
 
I called. The lady told me I have to have my mother's info, and basically if I can't, too bad. It's required. She said since I am under 25, I have to provide the info, and until I do, I will get no federal aid. Oh well. She also told me to speak with my advisor. I don't have an advisor.
 
LISTEN FOR I AM THE FAFSA KING:

The fact that you parents do not help you will not factor in, you can tell them they bat you with rubber hoses and it wont matter, what does matter is that you are 23. At the bottom of the FAFSA form there are a series of questions;

1. are you married/divorced
2. veteram.
3,Are you 23 or older.
.....

That one is the key.If you can answer yes to anyone of those questions then you are golden.You can then skip page 3 and move to page 4.In other words your parents dont matter.
 
That sucks. THEY might require it, but your parents are under no legal obligation to provide it. They should have a form for you to get your mom to sign stating that she formally refuses to provide the information or any financial help to you for school.
 
just find some chick that is in the same situation and get married, then get divorced and you'll be exempted
 
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
i think if she isnt claiming you as a dependent on her taxes then her income doesnt matter for this

Incorrect.

For the 2004-2005 academic year, you're an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:

- You were born before January 2, 1981.
- You're married as of the day you apply (or separated but not divorced).
- You are or will be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program (beyond a bachelor's degree) at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year.
- You have children who received more than half their support from you.
- You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you and will continue to receive more than half their support from you through June 30, 2005.
- Both your parents are deceased, or you are or were (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court.
- You're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (A "veteran" includes students who attended a U.S. service academy and who were released under a condition other than dishonorable. For more details on who is considered a veteran, see the explanatory notes on the FAFSA.)

Did you explain to your mother that providing you with her income information does NOT mean she is obligated to give you any money or other support?

If she absolutely refuses to give you that information, you need to talk to a financial aid counselor at the school you plan on attending. Everything I have read indicates that the decision on whether or not to make an exception to the above rules and classify you as an independent student is up to the individual school, not anyone at the fed. So just go meet with a financial aid counselor and explain that your mother has refused to provide you with that information.
 
What did you write for your mom before? I say unless your mom got a considerable gain in her income just copy the same info over. It won't matter if you miscalculated your mom's income by a couple of hundreds. My parents make about the same every year so I just copy the info over and say that they will file.
 
Originally posted by: VietDude
What did you write for your mom before? I say unless your mom got a considerable gain in her income just copy the same info over. It won't matter if you miscalculated your mom's income by a couple of hundreds. My parents make about the same every year so I just copy the info over and say that they will file.

I've never written anything before. This will be my first year going. I have not had the chance until now to attend college.
 
Originally posted by: DT4K
What is your birthdate ?

And what school are you planning on attending?

I am 23, I was born in sept of 81'
And it's a local community college. All I can afford at the moment.
 
Originally posted by: eigen
LISTEN FOR I AM THE FAFSA KING:

The fact that you parents do not help you will not factor in, you can tell them they bat you with rubber hoses and it wont matter, what does matter is that you are 23. At the bottom of the FAFSA form there are a series of questions;

1. are you married/divorced
2. veteram.
3,Are you 23 or older.
.....

That one is the key.If you can answer yes to anyone of those questions then you are golden.You can then skip page 3 and move to page 4.In other words your parents dont matter.

I don't remember seeing that. I will go back and look. That would solve alot of problems.
These are the 3 questions I think you mean

1. Born Before 1-1-1981:

2. Are your Parents Deceased, or were you (until age 18) a Ward/Dependent of Court:

3. Veteran of U.S. Armed Forces:

I am none of those.
 
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