Claiming Independence?

<p>The OP says he’s on a full ride. We don’t know what kind of a full ride this is. Is it linked to father’s position at the university? Would emancipation override this? The other issue is that just because one gets emancipated does not necessarily mean a school would recognize that for financial independence either. It’s up to the school fin aid office as to what qualifies for independence. Simple emancipation is not always the answer as it otherwise could become a ploy for anyone to do. The actual requirement is when the state specifically removes you from your parents, for cause. When the student becomes a ward of the state or when another guardian is assigned. </p>

<p>The OP is in better shape than most all kids in this situation. With a full ride at the school, it’s not going to take much more in terms of a job and using some friends connection to simply cut the parents out of his life. He doesn’t need them. A lot of kids in his situation are stuck in a tough spot in that they need their parents info for FAFSA reasons even if their parents don’t give a dime and abuse them. Get the parents ticked off, and there is no FAFSA and a lot fo trouble just to get the Direct loan. Also most kids don’t have full rides or even close to it and even commuting to a local community college is not doable. They NEED to live at home with parent as they cannot afford to live anywhere else. Few school meet full need as defined by FAFSA, so you can’t depend upon school aid bailing you out of your life with parents or out of another bad situation. I see many kids disappointed who are trying to do this. </p>

<p>Op also has to look at the laws of his state as some states do not emancipate minors. If his state does not emancipate minors, he may have to look for obtaining legal guardianship instead. </p>

<p>He also needs to look at the school policies regarding independence as some schools, while you may be independent on the FAFSA will still consider you dependent for institutional aid unless you can prove that you have been self sufficient for 5 year or at least 25 years old. Even if he does become emancipated, the school will also look at the timing of the process as there is a difference of being in legal guardianship/emancipated at a young age than having the process done immediately before your 18th birthday</p>