<p>Since you are over 21, neither of these would apply to you</p>
<p>"you can’t blame my entire family because of my mothers negligence. "</p>
<p>Of course “you” can. People will blame an entire family for something due to one member’s negligence, actions, words, etc. Happens all of the time. It’s not the blame that is an issue here though, it’s a matter of whether YOU can get financial aid if the custodial parent is not doing things the way s/he should. THe answer her, is that it is possible and it does happen A LOT that kids get penalized, “blamed” as you may say, because a parent isn’t doing what should be done. The bottom line is if your mother is your custodial parent and she refuses to fill out FAFSA, does not file her taxes, if the taxes and the FAFSA don’t match the way they should, yes, that can foul up your financial aid. Your financial aid is based on her financial information as well as yours, and if she won’t provide it, does not provide it accurately, does not have her taxes in place for verification, it is a real possibliity that you can’t get financial aid.</p>
<p>If your mother’s taxes do not come up for verification, when FAFSA is filed and is being processed, as the school fin aid office if a signed hard copy can be sent since the IRS verification link is not working. I know schools that will take that, so that if for whatever reason the tax return is not coming up for school verification, your aid can still be processed.</p>
<p>I suggest you have your mother fill out the FAFSA and submit it, and ask her to file her tax return as soon as possible so you can get fin aid. Any problems with verification, talk to the school. If you know your mother is going to have issues with the taxes, and may not be able to complete the FAFSA, if it comes down to that, you can file ask to complete without her and have her sign a form saying she won’t file FAFSA. That would still put you in line for the Federal Direct loan, only the base amount ($5500 freshman year, none of it subsidized). Whether a college will give you any consideration for their funds without parent informaiton is up to that school.</p>
<p>If you are starting college in fall 2014, that FAFSA will not be available for filing until January 1, 2014. It will be based on your mom’s tax return info from 2013. Even if she hasnt filed in the past, it will be necessary for her to do so if required for 2013…if she is not required to file, she will have to complete a non-filers statement.</p>
<p>P.S. the OP cannot get even the Direct loan simply by saying the parent will NOT provide FAFSA info. The parent also needs indicate that they have not in any way supported this student. </p>
<p>Kelsmom clarified that on a previous thread. It’s NOT as simple as just saying the parent won’t complete the FAFSA. There is MUCH more to this.</p>
<p>I really appreciate everyone for taking time out to help me with this. I’m probably just gonna wait a couple years, if I go at all.</p>