Applying as homeless?

<p>Now... This is definitely a strange question, but I thought maybe the good people of CC could help me here. Let me go ahead and confess that I've done no research on the topic because I'm not even sure how'd I'd go about researching something like this... </p>

<p>Due to many, MANY disagreements with my family (some involving the police, which even my dad agreed was totally unnecessary), I've moved in with a friend of mine, until college. They told me to get out, so I did -- I ran away from home and after spending a week or two with relatives in Atlanta, I found my way here. I've lived here for three months, and I plan to continue living here until I graduate (I'm a rising senior). I visit my family once every few weeks, but don't live with them, nor do I ever intend to -- in fact, they've found someone new to occupy my bed. =P Now, getting down to the real meat and potatoes... My APUSH (and AP Gov) teacher told me I could apply to college as homeless since I don't live with a family member. Is this true? Would that help me in admissions, hurt me in admissions, hurt me in financial aid, help me in financial aid...? I honestly have no clue about any of this, but I suppose it's worth looking into. Please don't try to chastise me for trying to "game the system" because I'm not... If you can gain an advantage simply bdcause of the color of your skin or what college your parents attended (or didn't attend), I think you should be able to gain an advantage from your living situation... Not to be standoffish or anything, I just don't want anyone trying to jump down my throat for asking for information when all I want is information, ahah. I feel I should provide you all with more information before you try to tell me what I can or can't do... I live with my friend, but do still see my parents. I have no plans to return home, and if I wanted to, I'd have nowhere to sleep. My parents don't support me financially here... My friend's mother does, so I suppose in that respect, I am homeless... After all, a beggar lives off the generosity of others too, ahah. If I applied as homeless, would I use my father's financial aid information...? I'm not an emancipated minor or anything; my father's still my legal guardian, I still have to have him sign all of my papers... Though I'll admit I usually forge them rather than trying to get my forgetful brother to give them to my dad to sign, and then give them back to me -- I shouldn't admit to forging my dad's signature online, especially when my username reflects my name ahah, but whatever... Most of my teachers knew my situation, so they had me do it while they looked away. Anyway, would I have to take out all of the loans as opposed to my parents (though it'd be me and my grandfather doing that anyway, ahah)? I'm really clueless about applying to colleges as a homeless student, but after what my APUSH teacher said, I thought getting some information about it would be a good idea. </p>

<p>On another note, since they count grandparent legacy, my application would have Emory scratching their heads... A homeless legacy. =P</p>

<p>You’re not homeless.</p>

<p>You don’t qualify as “homeless,” but on your FAFSA application, you can go through a process verifying parental non-support. It’s a rather lengthy procedure, but it can unlock additional federal and even state aid for you. While your story could also be a great hook in an essay, and something the above mentioned teachers, or others, could put in recommendation letters, most college applications don’t ask questions like that. But like I said, it can help you in applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>You are not homeless, you are simply choosing to not live with your parents. You will need your parents’ financial information to file the FAFSA and the CSS Profile for financial aid. So do talk with them about this. Even if you don’t live with them, and even if they won’t help you pay for college, you still need their information for financial aid.</p>

<p>The only way around that is to have someone else appointed your legal guardian. Make an appointment with your local legal aid office so you can learn more about the ramifications of that action. It may not be your best choice.</p>

<p>Emory costs almost $60k each year. Where would you get that kind of money? There are strict limits on what you can borrow on your own. Spend some time at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and here in the financial aid forum so you can learn about how financial aid works.</p>

<p>My grandfather’s pretty wealthy, and is helping me pay for college.</p>

<p>Plus emory meets full need, and my dad makes ~$52,000 a year (unfortunately I wouldn’t get the no-loan deal, he makes a tinnny bit too much!) with about 8 dependents, and has almost no equity in our home, and very little money in his checking account, no savings or investments or anything… And he’s in massive credit card debt, though unfortunately that’s not taken into account. Anyway, I’m not obsessed with o e school to the point of making irrational financial decisions… Though Emory@Oxford is my dream school. I would qualify for the loan-cap program, though. </p>

<p>The Loan Cap Program: The Loan Cap Program (LCP) caps cumulative Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan debt at $15,000 for dependent undergraduate students whose families’ annual total incomes are between $50,000 and $100,000. With the Loan Cap Program, students receive a standard financial aid award for freshman and sophomore years. This award could include federal or state aid, institutional loans or grants, or Work-Study. After a student has accrued a total of $15,000 in Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans while enrolled at Emory, grants will be provided to cover any remaining need-based funding incurred through degree completion.</p>

<p>Anyway, thank you all for the advice; I’ll definitely be looking into the “parental non-support” deal!</p>