<p>^I hadn’t realized the criteria for establishing independent status had changed so drastically since I was an undergrad. I worked for fifteen months after high school, and then went off to UMass as an independent. I would have received substantial aid as a dependent, but I reckon I probably fared a little bit better as an independent. </p>
<p>Saperne, if it were that easy, everyone would do it. Why pay tuition if you can get yourself declared Independent?</p>
<p>FYI - my D was awarded an automatic full ride scholarship to one of the schools on the list and filling out the FAFSA is a requirement. </p>
<p>Blossom, it really was that easy way back in 1981. I guess the stakes were so much lower then.</p>
<p>Yes it was that easy in the early 80’s. But it is NOT easy to become independent for financial aid purposes NOW! And NOW is really all that matters.</p>
<p>I’d suggest the OP consider joining the military. She can go into the medical field and get training and also get the GI Bill. Nothing her parents can do to stop her once she turns 18 and graduates high school.</p>
<p>Posey is it really this bad? Just curious.</p>
<p>It always seems “this bad” when a student is NOT likely to be able to attend their “dream school” because the parents say NO…for whatever reason (usually its financial). </p>
<p>Hopefully Posey has other options besides Capital University…where on,y ONE person was going to receive that scholarship anyway…and yes, I know…it could have been her. But the odds weren’t very good.</p>
Hi all! Its about a year later… My parents finally let me apply for financial aid. I had to talk my mom into talking to my dad about it. I ended up going to the university about 20 minutes away from my house, and I had to take out a few loans to cover everything. I like it here, but I still wish I was given as many options as my friends were. When it came down to deciding time, my dad and I sat down and calculated all of the costs and he told me that I could either go to a local CC or the university. I chose the university, and I worked hard last semester to bring my GPA up, wrote scholarship essays, and got recommendations from my professors. I am reapplying for scholarships for next year and one of my best friends is transfering here. We might dorm together.
All in all, my advice to anyone going through this is to hold your ground, but also know your limits. I knew I wouldn’t be able to go to Capital without having to take out tons of scholarships, but I also knew I didn’t want to go to the CC. I told my parents I was going to the local university and I would pay for everything, and that’s what I have done so far. Don’t give up on what you want. You may not get it at the time you want, but everything happens for a reason. And do your homework!!
God bless,
PoseyLynn
Thank you so much for the update!
I’m glad to hear your parents finally let you apply for financial aid, even if you couldn’t go to your “dream” university. I hope you don’t have too many loans but hopefully you’ll get more scholarships since you have a good GPA. And what good news that one of your best friends may be transferring and that you may dorm together (or perhaps share an apartment off campus at some point?)
I hope you’ll keep us update as to your progress. I’m sure the entire CC community that was rooting for you last year is glad to hear you did end up in college and that you’re forging ahead. Thank you for this update, also, for the students who are in this situation and will get to have your experience as a real-life experience to make their choices.
Thank you for the update. Best wishes!!!