<p>I am currently a dependent freshman attending a community college in California, with the hopes of transferring to a 4-year university for Aeronautical Engineering. Yet, like many universities, the tuition is incredibly expensive especially for out of state schools. Currently, I live with my grandma, yet I receive no support from my mother who lives in another state due to her own financial issues. I also receive no support from my father who is about to retire and is unable to help me financially. Because of this situation, I am a waiter at a local restaurant and make roughly $12,000 a year, which basically pays for all of my expenses food, cell phone, gas, etc. I do not understand how can I still be considered dependent from my parents yet I clearly do not receive 50% of the income. Rather, I receive close to 0 dollars. How am I supposed to transfer to any university and be able to pay for college in a situation like this?</p>
<p>Your are dependent for financial aid purposes because the rules say you are. Until you turn 24, get married, have a kid, get your bachelors degree, or are a military veteran you cannot be declared independent for financial aid purposes. Note that this is different than being independent for tax purposes. The two are not linked and that is the way it is. </p>
<p>The rules changed years ago because so many people were abusing the system.</p>
<p>What is your EFC? Do your parents have money they just aren’t willing to share?</p>
<p>That “50% of support” that you exceed would make you independent for income tax purposes but has NOTHING to do with independence for financial aid purposes.</p>
<p>Is there a four year university within commuting distance of your grandma, mom or dad? If so, perhaps that would be an option. Pick one in the state in which your parents reside…so you will get instate tuition.</p>
<p>Are your parents married? If so, you would need to provide the financial info on the FAFSA for both parents. If they are NOT married, you would have to provide the info from the parent you spend the most time with…I know that is a tricky question for you…but you would have to do so.</p>
<p>Do you attend community college IN the state where your dad resides? Is this where you have instate residency status?</p>
<p>So, don’t go to an out-of-state school. Do none of the UCs have aeronautical engineering programs?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You need to do one of two things related to the above…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Transfer to a four year school WITHIN the state of CA, preferably one with an articulation agreement with your community college. Finish your four year degree there. Hopefully where you can commute.</p></li>
<li><p>Apply to those other more pricey schools, send in the financial aid application materials and wait for the financial aid packages to come. If the finances don’t work out…have a plan B related to completing your undergrad degree at the lowest possible cost…in state.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>My father lives close by to me in California.</p>
<p>I am going to try to transfer to an in-state UC (once I finish the requirements at the community college), yet isn’t there going to still be the same problem next year? My mom and father are still not going to be able to help.</p>
<p>My mom is remarried and together their EFC is roughly $14,000, yet I am for sure not going to be receiving that much.</p>
<p>Can you live with your dad and commute to a CSU or UC?</p>
<p>What would your EFC be using your dad’s income? If your dad earns less than $80k, you’d qualify for Blue and Gold for UCs</p>
<p>UCs are expensive for those paying their own way. If you wouldn’t get Blue and Gold, then go to a CSU and commute.</p>
<p>OP, I think you misunderstand the EFC. It is not the amount of aid you will receive. It is in fact the absolute minimum you will be expected to come up with out of your pocket. Most schools do not meet need so your out of pocket amount will most likely be significantly higher.</p>
<p>Sadly, If I put my dad down for the FAFSA, my EFC would be even higher.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know if you are from california, but counselor’s are telling students from a community college not to transfer to a Cal State because the money is not worth the education you are receiving. I spoke to two counselors at my community college and they told me not to consider transferring for this reason.</p>
<p>While I can certainly apply to a UC, I believe only 2 of the schools even have my major. Yet, I am still going to be at the same financial situation. I can always get the two stafford loans, but I still have to make up the difference - roughly 20k if I attend an in-state school. It’s about 30 for an out of state (specifically Purdue, where I was accepted for engineering for Fall 2012).</p>
<p>counselor’s are telling students from a community college not to transfer to a Cal State because the money is not worth the education you are receiving. I spoke to two counselors at my community college and they told me not to consider transferring for this reason.</p>
<p>That’s ridiculous! A CSU education is worth the money. Those GCs are giving bad info.</p>
<p>Seconding the “That’s ridiculous” claim.</p>
<p>elmons3, is there a UC or Cal State within commuting distance for you? That may be your best option - and potentially your only option, if your parents aren’t willing or able to help pay for tuition.</p>
<p>Not only is it ridiculous, it’s a zero sum game. What are you supposed to do if you cannot afford to attend a UC or a private school? Not move on at all?</p>
<p>Do either of you parents claim you on his/her taxes? and what point did you begin living with your grandma? was this court ordered, etc? I ask these questions because it may dictate my further responses.</p>
<p>In you situation one of the only ways to increase your award package is to appeal your award letter. Call the office, ask to speak with the director, and explain your situation on the phone AND IN WRITING. Have grandma and a trusted adult who knows the situation write a letter on your behalf.</p>
<p>Unless there has been a breakdown in the relationship with the parents, parent income info is expected. If the grandmother has COURT-ORDERED guardianship, the student is independent. Otherwise, the student is dependent UNLESS there is some history of abuse or neglect that has not been discussed. I was a financial aid officer until recently. If there are extenuating circumstances, those can be discussed with the aid office. Otherwise, the parent info is necessary.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids / polarscribe:</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t understand it as well. This is what the counselors told me when I met with them.</p>
<p>juillet:</p>
<p>Thats exactly the case! I spoke with my dad today and all he can afford to help me out is 20k but he can’t cosign a loan or anything for me. With that little help, I still can’t attend a UC OR a Cal State next year once I finish my requirements.</p>
<p>Aschoolcounselor:</p>
<p>My dad claimed me on taxes this year. I have lived with my grandma almost my whole life. My mom used to live with my grandma as well but then she moved out with her husband, and I stayed with my grandma to continue to go to school in california.</p>
<p>I will definitely try your second suggestion. Although, I did that same exact thing (although I didn’t talk to the director on the phone last time), and I had teachers from my high school who knew me write letters saying I should be independent. Yet, they still continued to deny me, despite everything I sent them. Hopefully it helps this year!</p>
<p>kelsmom:</p>
<p>That is exactly what the financial aid officer from Purdue told me today. If I were to be emancipated before 18, I could be listed independent now, but because I am over 19, there is nothing I can do. What it looks like to me is I have to wait till I’m 24 to declare myself independent and then transfer to a 4 year university? That’s a long time from now…</p>
<p>Thank you for all of these replies as well!</p>
<p>Becoming independent for FAFSA and college purposes is going to be difficult if not impossible at this point for you unless, as Kelsmom says, you have a court ordered situation.</p>
<p>I think the Cal states are excellent schools. They do not get the outclaim they should because of the existence of the UCs with their great reputations, rankings and acclaim. but, really, they are good choices. Any respected college guide has a good appraisal of these schools, which within their grouping vary widely. You have some Cal States that are “Better” than some UCs. But trying to play that game is just going to make you nuts. Find a school that has the courses that you want and is affordable.</p>
<p>With your Dad throwing in what he can afford, with the Stafford loans, living with your grandmother and working part time, is there not a Cal State within commuting distance? That would be doable especially with just 2 more years to go.</p>
<p>“all he can afford to help me out is 20k but he can’t cosign a loan or anything for me. With that little help, I still can’t attend a UC OR a Cal State next year once I finish my requirements.”</p>
<p>Why isn’t that enough to attend UC or Cal State? Just by filling out the FAFSA, you can get a federal loan for $7500/year for each of the last two years. You can also use part of your earnings. No, you can’t afford Purdue or an out-of-state school but you should be able to complete your degree. </p>
<p>If you really want to go out-of-state, you may want to look into the western undergraduate exchange. I am not sure exactly how it works but I believe CA students can attend out-of-state unis in neighboring states for 150% of instate tuition. That may be an option, especially if you get some merit aid. <a href=“http://wiche.edu/wue[/url]”>http://wiche.edu/wue</a></p>
<p>With your situation, I wouldn’t recommend WUE because your budget is going to be stretched just doing an in-state commuter CSU. Not to mention you’ll have to find another, equally-paying job in that community, and there’s no guarantee of being able to that.</p>
<p>^^ unless the student is given merit money at a WUE university.</p>