I was recently kicked out of my parents house and I’m no longer getting any money at all from them. I’m basically homeless and bouncing around friends’ homes. Is there a way to claim independence on FASFA/HESAA/ etc? My parents don’t qualify for me to get aid but I’m on my own now and really need all the help I can get
Are you under age 18? Was this a disagreement or what?
How long ago did this happen?
Where do you plan to apply to college…because being independent for financial aid purposes does not guarantee you a free ride, if that’s what you need.
I’m 19 and I left my parent’s house earlier this month. They we’re kicking me out so I left a few days before my “deadline.” It was a culmination of years of abuse.
I’m returning to college as a sophomore in September. I didnt get any aid my first year so I’m hoping I can file and get something for at least the spring semester.
When I started doing my FASFA it said I needed to take a professional note to my school for proof of my condition so I could get aid, All the FASFA/HESAA filing asked about my parents’ taxes from 2016 and I couldn’t find a way to claim recent independence
It is very difficult to be considered as an independent student prior to the age of 24. You should contact your school’s financial aid office and discuss options, you will likely have to fill out a dependency review form. There are two criteria of independence that could possibly (both long shots) work for you 1) emancipation from parents (really hard to do and takes time, will need an attorney; parents can no longer claim you as a dependent on taxes, among other criteria) or 2) student is homeless. Also @thumper1 is correct too, even if you achieve independent status, depending on your current college they might not meet your full demonstrated need. Do you have any family members to help guide you through this? Perhaps your school advisor can help as well?
Were the police called? Was a complaint filed? Did you ever have child protective services involved before age 18?
What made them decide to ask you to leave…now? The school is going to ask this.
How much does your college cost?
Your financial aid forms for 2018-2019 should already have been filed with your parent information. That form was available for filing on October 1, 2017. Did you complete it?
You need to see if the school will give you a dependency override…but you will need some clear documentation of your situation…and why.
And like I said…even with a $0 EFC, the only guaranteed aid you will get is a $6000 Pell Grant, and a $6500 Direct Loan as a sophomore. Will that pay your costs to attend?
How are you paying for the fall term?