<p>I am in a huge dilemma.</p>
<p>First of all, I have a very messy family situation. I don't live with my natural parents, who remarried two years ago. Instead, I live with my grandparents, whom I've lived with for 18 years.</p>
<p>Also, my mom and dad do not support me. Both my parents and grandparents have said that they will not contribute to any of my college expenses. I already work 25 hours a week to pay for my food and help my grandparents out.</p>
<p>Two weeks ago I visited Princeton, which I planned on applying to Early Decision. I have gotten all my teacher recs filled out. I have written all but one essay. My GC sent the transcript. I have rushed my SAT and ACT scores. I had planned to mail the application Friday or Saturday.</p>
<p>And we called Princeton, and they said my parents needed to fill out the FA information. But my parents are refusing, because they think I should go to a state college for totally free instead of paying a minimal amount at Princeton.</p>
<p>What can I do?</p>
<p>All that you can do is beg your parents to fill out the FA form. Princeton isn't likely to give you financial aid without that info because if they did, many parents would opt out of filling out the form because why pay big bucks for one's kids' education if the college will pay?</p>
<p>I do not suggest that you apply ED. If you get in, you'll be stuck. Princeton is not going to back down about wanting the parental paperwork. if you back out because of financial reasons, your GC will be angry because Princeton may take their ire out on your GC. Also, your GC will know that you could have avoided being in a position in which you didn't have the $ for college, but were stuck with ED. Princeton also may take out on your classmates the fact that you backed out.</p>
<p>If you're able to apply ED for Princeton, you should be a very strong applicant for one of the many good colleges that offers great merit aid to strong applicants. My advice is to not apply ED/Princeton, but to apply to colleges that are likely to give you the merit aid that would allow you to attend -- whether or not your parents fill out the financial aid info.</p>