<p>I have emotionally, and occasionally physically, abusive parents. Moreover, I feel this abuse will later manifest in threats of financial abandonment for my college expenses (which they have already been making in trivial situations such as when I indicate a particular interest to join an activity like tennis - which I had to quit because of this). I do not want to deal with my parents' and household's dysfunction anymore.</p>
<p>I am a senior in high school living in California. I am considering moving out and living with a close friend a year older than I am (an independent) that I trust and who has my back. If I do so, it will be around April or May and I will file for status as an emancipated minor. I will be working two jobs during the summer. The application as an emancipated minor will extend itself a few months into the school year, most likely well into the first semester/quarter of college, so I will probably be considered as a financial dependent in that time. </p>
<p>What I would like to know is how would I indicate this on my financial aid forms, which are due in February and would be well before I apply for status as an emancipated minor. Any tips, advice, and suggestions would be greatly welcomed.</p>
<p>If you can answer Yes to any of the questions below, you are considered an independent student and information about your parents is not required on the FAFSA.</p>
<ol>
<li> Were you born before January 1, 1989? </li>
<li> As of today are you married? </li>
<li> At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)? </li>
<li> Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? </li>
<li> Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? </li>
<li> Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013? </li>
<li> Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2013? </li>
<li> At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court? </li>
<li> As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor? </li>
<li> As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship? </li>
<li> At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? </li>
<li> At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? </li>
<li> At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?</li>
</ol>
<p>In order to file as an emancipated minor, you will need to wait until you ARE an emancipated minor. Until that time, you are a dependent student for financial aid purposes. I am sorry for your situation. If your situation can be documented, you can request a dependency override from the school. You can always file your FAFSA without parent info, but it will reject until you get the override.</p>
<p>kelsmom is correct. I have worked in financial aid for over 15 years. Prior to emancipation being complete your only other option is to speak with your HS guidance counselor about being put into an at risk homeless youth status. That would help you qualify for #11 on the list.</p>
<p>Kelsmom has directly answered the question. In most of such situations, you have to be there before you can get consideration. You are not married because you are engaged, you are not unemployed when you get word that your company is going to do massive layoffs. When the events occur, you then fall into that category.</p>
<p>You had better make sure you get this done before you turn 18. At that point it becomes moot since you are no longer a minor.</p>