Threatening parents rarely turns out well. They may discourage the military simply because it’s not a place for anyone who doesn’t want it as a career, but that doesn’t mean they’ll fund whatever school OP wants. They could just as easily tell her to go get a job and try again when she’s a little more mature.
I live in NY so I’m familiar with the colleges OP is referring to, and SB isn’t some quiet little campus where “everyone” is serious and quiet all the time. I understand the desire to get away from home, but finances seem to be a consideration. Maybe the brother chose SB because he understood that. SB is pretty big, so she won’t have to see her brother all the time either.
The bottom line for students who need parents to fill out financial aid forms is that they don’t get to stamp their foot and try to bully their parents to do what they want. The federal age for financial independence may be 24, but in NYS it’s 35. If I were OP, I’d go to SB and be happy my parents could afford to pay for it.
My wife graduated from Binghamton and never had a single issue. The campus is nestled on the hillside of the Stair Tract neighborhood of Vestal, NY, miles away from any of the grittier parts of Binghamton. I can’t imagine anyone feeling even slightly threatened by the location.
Sadly, no, @jym626. According to the NYS Higher Ed website:
If a student received more than $750 from the parents in a calendar year (gifts and/or loans), they’re considered dependent for NYS TAP services. There are other requirements too, but that $750 limit is a tough one.
Or, you could get a job and work for a few years. Truly get independence and go wherever your heart desires. We did not tie our kids to our finances for school. We give advice, but don’t tell they where they are permitted to go. Even thought the older two were under 18 when classes began, we still let them choose…because they were paying. You have 3 choices. 1) convince mom 2) go where mom wants 3) find other financial solution.
@austinmshauri - could that possibly mean that if the student doesnt meet the criteria to be deemed independent between the ages of 22-35. that once they hit 35 they are automatically deemed independent?
Hi everyone! My old account which I posted this question on doesn’t seem to be working (I’m the OP) so I made this new one. Thanks for all your suggestions and advice guys it was all really helpful. So, I’ve decided to attend Stony Brook University and my mother and I made a deal that I really don’t like it there I wil just transfer elsewhere. But who knows? I might love it. Best of luck to all of you that have to go through the college process I hope you’re happy with the schools you choose!
@DadofTwoGirls Hi I’m the OP this is my new account. I really loved your response especially because it came from the perspective of a parent. I showed it to my mom and it got her to open up more. Thank you so much! And good luck to your daughters!
@cobrat The schools have changed a bit from the '90s Stony and Bing are still considered the top University centers but now Stony Brook is slightly harder to get into than Binghamton. Otherwise they are similar in rankings. I’m not completely sure but I think the cut off for Stony Brook is now a gpa of 91.