Independent Status

Paying for College
21

<p>My ex-husband and I actually got married at the end of December of the year we met because his parents refused to stop claiming him on their income taxes as a dependent, even though they weren't providing support. I literally got married to be able to claim independent student status for the year. If we had waited until January 1st, it wouldn't have been valid for the aid year coming up. </p>

<p>The rules have changed since back then, but I just wanted to say that A) I actually did it, and B) it's one of the stupidest reasons to get married EVAR. Kids, don't try this at home.</p>

22

<p>I have a question regarding the possibility for a student declaring independent status. I am helping my niece (step-niece, if there is such a thing) and she wants to eventually attend college.</p>

<p>Her father has never paid a dime of child support/never been married to her mother/ she is in casual contact with him (knows his address, sees him maybe once a year if that).</p>

<p>Her mother was married to my brother for about 10 years, but that went down in flames. My niece was told by her mother that when she graduated from high school, she was on her own -- and was not allowed to stay in the house. </p>

<p>After graduating high school, she lived with friends for a few months while working and then spent 6 months at a work/volunteer program in South America. After coming back, she has lived with grandparents/friends/ex-stepfather/ or wherever else she can find a bed to sleep in. She have never lived with her mother since high school graduation -- and communication is minimal. The relationship has been combative for years.</p>

<p>Her plans are to work at an Americorps job for 12 months starting next spring/summer -- and until that time, just keep working and living with whoever (might be me for a while).</p>

<p>She will apply for the school year starting fall of 2010, she will be 21 at that time -- and unless things change drastically, neither dad nor mom will help with college or provide her information to fill out forms.</p>

<p>Dad is remarried and his income is less than $30,000 (just a guess based on his job) and mom does not work and hasn't ever had a job. Neither parent attended college -- and they don't think it important. Assets are non-existent for both parents. My guess is that her EFC would be $0 if they would just fill out the papers -- but they will not (she has tried several times -- including getting family members and outside counselors to help).</p>

<p>I am helping her with understanding financial aid, residency requirements, etc -- but I am wondering if she would have a chance at a dependency override. </p>

<p>Any advice, info, etc will be welcome.</p>

23

<p>At the school I work at, she might well gain independence. The FA office has them fill out a lot of forms detailing what their expenses are, how they are paying for them, and then get letters from various people who might know (teachers, landlords, employers, neighbors, clergy, social workers for examples) who can attest that the situation is as the student says it is. They use all this to make a ruling. I don't know what is considered enough proof, but I this is what they do, and it does result in some students acquiring independent status.</p>

<p>The problem with that, though, is that student income is assessed at a much higher rate when the student is independent. If she makes too much, she might actually get less aid than she would've under her parents' income (which might be a moot point if getting the figures is actually impossible.)</p>

<p>Would one of them be willing to give her the numbers and let her fill out the paperwork? that's how many of my stduents do it as a matter of course.</p>

<p>I'd suggest she start contacting FA offices that she might be interested in and question if they have any policies for situations like this.</p>

24

<p>To add to above, if she does contact FA offices, I'd emphasize not that the parents won't fill out the forms, but that she has been financially independent of them and had little contact with them since HS graduation.</p>

25

<p>garland -- thanks for the advice. I am aware of the higher EFC for independent students and we have talked about that and done some figuring.</p>

<p>I don't think the parents will cooperate -- the relationships are very antagonistic (she sided with my brother against her mother during the break-up).</p>

<p>My suggestion to her (and she thinks it will work out great) is for her to work through May 2009 and then do a year with Americorps. She needs to get out of the circle of acquaintances she is in right now and increase her self-esteem and belief in herself. She also needs some time to exam her goals without her friends and family telling her to shack up with some guy and let him buy the groceries (yes --that is the advice she is getting).</p>

<p>My understanding is that the living stipend and housing allowance provided through the Americorps program does not count as income towards the EFC -- so if she were an independent student, she could make approximately $6000 in 2009 and then work for Americorps and she should end up with an EFC of $0.</p>

<p>She is looking at Evergreen State College -- which does seem like a good fit for her. If she did her year of volunteer work in Washington State (which is her plan) she would qualify for in-state tuition (we called and checked with the powers that be).</p>

26

<p>hsmomstef--sounds like a very workable plan--she is fortunate to have people who care about her like you, considering the lousy parental cards she was dealt. Kudos to you for caring.</p>

27

<p>Be sure that she specifically mentions Dependency Override to the FA office. They will know what questions to ask her to establish a basis for it.</p>

<p>For background have a look at:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.kidscounsel.org/financial%20aid%202008.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.kidscounsel.org/financial&#37;20aid%202008.pdf&lt;/a>
FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Dependency Overrides</p>

28

<p>garland -- thanks for the nice words. Vossron -- I will print out those links. Thanks!</p>