I am a freshmen in college, who just finished his first year. My application has been selected for verification. Long story short, I don’t live with my parents, my dad died and my mom lives with her own family. My grandma raised me since I was 7, but she’s not my legal guardian. Anyway, my mom and I always had a bad relationship and we barely speak, however I managed to convince her to let me use her information for financial aid last year since she is my rightful guardian. In October, she reluctantly let me use her information again, but made it clear she will stop letting me do so. Since I got selected for verification, I told her but she would give me more documents. There was a big fight, and now we no longer speak. I would like to proceed with my college career without her. I’m aware that in order to get aid from FAFSA, I need her information. I spoke to my grandma and we came to the conclusion that she would help me pay more for my college, and I will get a job. So now my question is how do I proceed? Is there a way to cancel my FAFSA application, or do I tell the financial aid office that I cannot proceed with verification? Also are there any loans that I would be able to apply for, where my grandma can cosign?
She wouldn’t give me more documents ******
You should talk to the financial aid dept. of your school Possibly you might qualify for a dependency override for FAFSA. That is a discretionary option that colleges can exercise under limited circumstances. If not, they will tell you how to proceed or drop your FAFSA or whatever would be the best next step.
You might need to make an appt. to talk to someone higher up. If you get some vague answer when you call, ask to make an appt. with the FinAid Director. It would be OK if they set you up with the 2nd in command. But generally, whoever answers the phone just has basic knowledge and no decision making authority. Sometimes it’s a work study student answering the phone.
Thank you for your response, I never thought about any of that. I’m glad there is still a possibility I can get aid without having to take out loans. Going to speak to the financial aid department at my college tomorrow.
Please let us know how things went with your visit.
Just spoke to my financial aid advisor today, and she told me exactly what alooknac said. She explained that my situation qualifies for a dependency override. She also explained that I’d need to fill out a document, and submit a few letters, one being from myself and two from two professionals.
I am glad to hear that! Dependency overrides are designed for situations like yours. Be aware that you will be required to re-apply for the override with your school annually. When it is time to file the FAFSA again for next year, stop by your financial aid office to ask them what they require from you for that year (every school has a different process for reapproving dependency overrides).
I’m so glad to be of help and happy that the dependency override exists to help students in situations such as yours. Best wishes to you in all your endeavors.
Thank you 
I’ve already started working on my letter, and have contacted my high school counselor and priest. Both of them agreed to write letters for the process. However, I was reading that dependency overrides are hard to get, so there may be a chance I might not get it. If that happens, since I am unable to hand in the documents necessary to complete my verification, my aid will be taken away right? Will I have to pay back any aid i have recieved in the past? I am scared because I cannot this.
I don’t think they will award it until the override the issue. They won’t release funds that haven’t been approved.
Don’t worry - concentrate on completing the dependency override process & don’t get ahead of things.