Issue with parents and questions about Financial Aid

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>So, I'm posting this for a friend, but I am gonna say it as myself to keep things less complicated. So I've been having problems with my father, and my mother has been out of the equation since I was a very young age (she left and moved to another country). I'm a community college student who is planning on transferring to a UC next year. My father has become such a burden that I feel it necessary to leave the house as soon as possible. I feel that my father contributes to a lot of pain in my life, and is a big reason why I am so unhappy. However currently, he is the means of paying for my education. </p>

<p>Next semester, I am considering moving out of the house and attending another California community college elsewhere. I will be able to support myself for a little while because I have been working a job for some time now (I have enough to last for housing for about a year). However, in filling out the FAFSA and everything, will I be viewed as an independent if I do not take any money from my father? Is there any way to get a larger amount of financial aid, or is it likely that I will have to take out loans?</p>

2

<p>You won’t be regarded as an independent student. Not taking money from a parent does not make you independent for FA purposes.</p>

3

<p>One of the questions in the series that classifies me as an independent asks if I am married. If I am planning on getting married in next few months, would that count me as an independent or not?</p>

4

<p>Yes, it probably would. But realize your spouse’s income will than count as will your savings. UCs and CSUs are not generous with aid, so loans are likely if that’s where you’re headed.</p>