@intparent
I have showed them. They just think it won’t happen.
I’m not doing it at the end of the day. But, after some consideration today, I’ve just come to another conclusion that I’d have to do later on, anyway.
ok so the best plan is for you to move out after you graduate or sooner if you can find a safe place to live and finish HS.
It wont do you any good not to have a HS diploma. so hold your powder dry for a while. But do start to reach out to those you can trust. your HS counselor? someone from your church? the parent of a friend?
Its also time to call the abuse hotline- that’s what its for- and start talking to people who can help you find a place to live .
then you can start finding out what your options are and start planning your future. ’
the “bomb” I was referring to was getting the police involved. Not moving out when you leave for college.
@Morseless, Read post #49. You don’t have special circumstances, but you don’t need them to file the FAFSA without your parents’ info. Follow the link in that post for instructions. But you’ll only get a ~$3500/year loan if your application is approved. If you’re in a dangerous situation, you need to resolve that first and deal with college later. Where does your sister live?
You also can be independent if you have a child, married or in the military. Have you given any thought to joining the military? I know it’s not for everyone. But it does provide a great opportunity for some people.
It’s not an option to get my sister involved, atm, but, I appreciate the advice you’ve given/linked me. I’ll look into it.
@sensation723
it’s an option, but, it’s definitely a last resort kind of option. Thanks for the idea.
So, today I’ve found that my parents both do file as head of household so, even if I had both of their tax returns, I couldn’t ACTUALLY use them since they’re not even allowed to do that. Well… I guess I could but not really.
I’m probably just going to say I used them and not use them.
It’s not THAT easy. The parents have to agree NOT to declare this student as a dependent, and they need to not provide ANY support at all…none.
@kelsmom could you verify this?
@morseless you don’t have a special circumstance at all. Having dishonest, uncooperative parents is not a special circumstance.
If you are truly being abused, go ASAP to your HS counselor and tell her or him. That person is a mandatory reporter and will be required to report to child protective services.
You are grasping at straws here. First it was all about your parents dishonesty on the FAFSA…then added in the tax situation…now you are talking about possible abuse? If it really IS abuse, you need to get help,for,that first and foremost.
If you have you mom’s tax return, you can see how it is filed. You can use your moms return but it absolutely will be selected for verification…and especially since you will list the marital status ON your FAFSA as MARRIED. Her filing as H of H will trigger verification…and the tax info is what they will want ASAP.
There are some unique situations where H of H can be used by married folks… But not a married couple living in the same house.
Your father cannot do a non-filers statement if he already filed. Your posts above were confusing…it sounded like he had not filed. But even if he didn’t…he would have to give a reason for not filing.
What is your mother’s income? Because if it’s REALLY low, the schools will want to know how she is paying all of your bills…so be prepared to provide an explanation of where the money is coming from for that.
In the meantime, I suggest you get yourself a job, start saving some money, and look into places where you can afford to attend college while you are working.
@morseless WOW! That’s what I was afraid of. Now either way you will be apart of some type of fraud. You can’t use them both because if the IRS find out they are filing HOH when they are married they can get into a lot of trouble. I don’t really have any advice for you at this point because this whole thing is such a mess right now. SMDH!
I’m pretty sure I’m dependent on both of their forms - at least, I was filed as dependent on my dad’s on 2014’s taxes so I assume he would still be doing that, so I guess I can’t use that option at all. Thanks for mentioning.
I am aware having uncooperative parents is not ‘special circumstance.’ I never said those were - you misunderstand completely.
The only method in which I could file FAFSA as special circumstance would be next year after I moved out if I had evidence of previous abuse. Which is a thing but only has been recorded legally recently. If THAT situation is wrong, then, please tell me.
I didn’t know if he filed or not - sorry about that. But, he has. My mom filed as “head of household” and just wants to say she’s “separated or divorced” on the FAFSA.
Her stated income is 12,250, which doesn’t make any sense at all. We rent a house for $5k a month.
Yes, I’m looking into getting a job, etc.
You guys are paying $60k per year for rent, and parents plead poverty?
When you see a van near your house, and the guys inside are wearing jackets that say “DEA”, I suggest you take off.
That’s what I thought, too, but I think there are 2 ways to file. What you’re talking about is a dependency override that allows a student to be considered for the loan AND the Pell grant. But it appears there’s a 2nd way that just permits them to take the unsubsidized part of the loan. I hope Kelsmom can clarify.
I believe getting that extra unsubsidized loan also requires the parents to bow out.
@morseless moving out of your house NEXT year well ,after any abuse has taken place will NOT be a special circumstance. This will be especially true when you are over 18, and can certainly not be required to live with your parents anymore.
If you have been abused…this would need to be documented NOW…right NOW.
But really, all that this might net you is the Pell Grant, and an extra $4000 in Direct Loans.
You have already MISSED the Calgrant deadline for this year…that was March 2.
I see - thanks for that info.
I know about that with the grant and all that - I’m not the one still pushing for financial aid at this point. In fact, I’m not concerned about it anymore since using either of their info isn’t legal since both of their forms contain incorrect information. It’s just not something I’m ok with doing.
All they are interested in is the Pell Grant, so, that’s all they care about.
Anyway, as a general update to the thread: For now, my mom isn’t pushing it anymore and is waiting to “think about it,” since I showed her a sample form for proof of separation and she can’t provide the bulk of the information. I’m sure she is also realizing that I ALSO can’t use both of their tax forms since they both file as HOD, so, hopefully, she’ll stop trying to ‘figure something out.’
OP, thumper is correct. Your teachers and guidance counselors are mandated reporters and would be obligated to report, if you share the fact that you are being abused.
@morseless I agree with you. At this point since the tax return are fraudulent. If she uses them she will knowingly be entering incorrect information to fill out the FASFA. I’m glad that your mom is starting to rethink this. Maybe next year they will file their taxes correctly. That way you will be able to use their tax returns for FAFSA.
If they both file HOH and claim you as their dependent I would think that would raise red flags with IRS.
If one filed a return with you as the dependent and then the other tried, wouldn’t their return be rejected?
It is not committing fraud on the behalf of your parents.
It is YOU the OP committing fraud.
Both you and one of your parents must sign the FAFSA, either electronically or on paper. When YOU sign it, YOU are attesting to it being correct, and YOU can be in very big trouble. It’s not like Mom can just sign and you are off scot-free. YOU have to sign too.
It sounds like you need to go to a counselor, or wait until you are 24 and emancipate.
But I agree 100% that if you are being physically abused, that is the number one issue to handle first. It will be very difficult to succeed in college if you have the specter of abuse plus lying about finances.
When it comes down to it, if you don’t use the automatic IRS fill-in on your FAFSA of your parents’ information, the chance of being audited is increased. There are multiple questions that you would have to lie about in order to hide that your parents are still married.
By the way, consider the “watch out for the DEA” warning. 100K per year gross does not pay for 5K per month of mortgage or rent, and the possibility of eating food and buying clothing and household goods. Even with what the OP says is the “real” situation smacks of lies already present.
@mommdc Yes if the both claim her the return will bounce back. One of them can be claiming another dependent. I don’t know how many siblings you have other than the one sister she mention here.
@rhandco you emancipate when you are UNDER age 18. After age 24, the student is independent for financial aid purposes…no need for emancipation.
Yeah, that’s true. That’s why I’m even more uncomfortable with it.
I can’t really talk to a counselor unless I go up to the school solo - I go to a homeschooling charter school, and I don’t have any way of getting up there (long drive) without a parent. I’ll be waiting until I’m 24, most likely, unless I figure something else out.
I honestly don’t know the real financial situation in my household - just bits and pieces. I do know for a fact we don’t have much money anymore but everything else is not really something I have any information about.
Thanks for your info.
I suppose they might not then - you make a good point that it would definitely send red flags but I really don’t know for sure about these types of things.
edit: They may actually claim their grandkids. not sure. my sister is 27, though and is the only other sibling i have.
@sensation723
An X on that, now, though. She called the school and asked about the forms and was essentially reassured that it’s okay if they’re separated, but that in the future she may have to go and refile her taxes as “married but separate.” She still wants me to submit it, but, idk, I think I’m just going to say I did , don’t, and say it was rejected. I don’t want to have that on my hands. She’s willing to get their form and have it witnessed by a notary and I really don’t want to do any of that.
If your mom declares her grandkids on her tax form, you should be able to see that. You have her tax form, right?