Hi all,
I am applying to colleges for the Fall of 2018 as a transfer student, but this question can be answered by any applicant with the same parental circumstances.
Recently, one of my parents were sent to prison. Chances are they won’t be walking free for at least another couple of decades, and that poses some problems for me as a college applicant.
Not only do I not want this person receiving information about my whereabouts or activities, but I also am not sure about what information to enter for their profile!
I am not ashamed of my circumstances as they’ve done a lot to hinder my growth as a student and an individual, but I’ve arrived at this process in spite of that, and will hopefully be completely my education soon, but I’m just very unsure what I should inform colleges on regarding my parent.
Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks so much everyone.
This doesn’t directly apply, but be aware of it (re the “incarceration” line in the second link):
Dependency Override
http://cca-ct.org/financial%20aid%202008.pdf
http://www.finaid.org/educators/pj/dependencyoverrides.phtml
I don’f believe my parent will affect financial aid as they do not make any money except for the few dollars or cents they make a day in jail. Thank you for the information though, I do appreciate it.
If you are using the Common App, you can list this parent’s address as “unknown.” You can also use the additional information section of the Common App to explain that the parent is incarcerated. Once you are at a university, under the federal law (FERPA) that covers student privacy, the university will not release information about you.
Other posters will be able to advise you on the implications of the situation for financial aid purposes.
Speak to your guidance counselor tomorrow morning. One, because he or she needs to know what’s going on. And two, because even if she doesn’t know the answers she is in a position to get them on your behalf.
I’m so sorry that you’re in this position.