<p>Let’s not chastise the student for the income/choices of his parents. The student doesn’t control how the parents spend their money. </p>
<p>People who amass wealth (you’d be surprised how many high-income people don’t do so) generally do so by being picky with how they spend their money. </p>
<p>sugar, needing the FAFSA for merit aid may be the way to get them to file it. Have you applied to schools at which you may be eligible for merit aid? It’s possible that, with merit aid, a school other than State U could end up being less expensive than State U; even State U may have some merit grants available. I think that could be a way to make your case with your mom and stepdad. </p>
<p>And good for you for wanting to be more independent! You don’t need work study to find a job; I used to work on campus (at flagship State U) when I was a student, as did many of my friends, and none of us were on work study.</p>