“A 16 year old student can get her own loans without a co-signer.”
Really? Who would loan thousands of dollars to a 16 year old?
The federal student loans are availalbe to anyone who is eligible to file the FAFSA. If your daughter is a US citizen, a legal permanent resident alien (green card status), or falls into one of the other special categories (asylee, refugee, etc.) she can file the FAFSA. She would have needed parental information up to age 24, so maybe that is why your family never filed with her. She is now well past that age cut off, and is independent. She can file the FAFSA for this year pretty much up until the last day of class.
As a student in Senior status, she is eligible to borrow $7,500. As an independent, she can borow an additional $4,000. Send her to the financial aid office on her campus to get help with the FAFSA process. Since she has no income of her own right now, there also is the possibility that she might qualify for a small federal or state grant. There is no need for you to shell out one more cent in her support if you don’t want to.
Did she complete the FAFSA? If so, she can get the loans, but everything needs to be processed BEFORE her school’s spring term ends…and since graduation is looming…that is not a likely scenario for this year.
If you didn’t pay her bills for her, she would figure out how to do so herself. She is 26. Stop paying her bills. You can give her 60 days notice. But you are enabling her…to NOT get a job.
I’m not sure if CC is the best place for advice. You’ll probably want to see a professional to solve these issues.
@happymomof1 I had no idea. Thanks for that. We have had the debate in the past but assumed parents had to co sign.
@thumper1 Thanks for remembering the story was familiar. Not sure how comforting it is to me that it is memorable. Cutting her off seems mean spirited. With her diagnosed issues and the fact that she has made forward progress, however slowly, asking her to take financial responsibility before being done with college didnt seem right.
@coolguy40 We absolutely need professional help but have been unable to find the right fit. It is a very complex situation. At this point, we could find someone just to listen to the two of us (husband and I). Wouldn’t help her. We are also at the point where we can’t make her go or get help and we know that.
This has been a long distressing process and it helps to get outside opinions. I take it for what it is, but CC members are people, too!
Thanks for weighing in everyone. It helps.
Actually someone could listen to you and your husband, and help you form a good plan.
This has been going on for at least four years with no appreciable change.
You can continue the way you have need or you can get some help at least for you parents.
I agree, you need professional help…and not about college issues