Your parents are not separated/divorced. Filing a FAFSA with knowingly wrong info for financial aid gain…is FRAUD. It’s a crime. Fraud.
Your parents want to commit fraud.
Do you have alternative plans for your education? This will blow up–
They’re legally married. I’ve actually seen their marriage certificate.
Pretty much, yeah. That’s why it’s such a hard place to be in.
I haven’t but I’m trying to find some. Thinking about it more makes me just not want to go through the regular channels for my education unless I can find someone to completely detach myself from my parents.
"but since my, and your, and everyone else’s opinion doesn’t matter I still say to call the FAFSA helpline and follow their instructions. "
My advice is not an opinion, and because I have had years of training and experience, my instructions can be taken “at least” as seriously as the person answering the FAFSA help line (I am a financial aid director).
The IRS regulations stipulate that married people cannot both file HofH. Financial aid folks really detest having to be the IRS-police … we don’t report the incorrect filing status, but we are required by federal regulations to deny aid to students when we know their parents have an incorrect filing status. I have had to tell more than a few students/parents that they must refile with a correct filing status in order for the student to get aid. They don’t have to do it, but they won’t get aid if they don’t.
I see. Thank you, I’ll definitely take your advice.
OP, I admire you very much for trying to do the right thing and to not do the wrong thing. I think it’s awful that your parents are putting you in this untenable situation.