Need Help Understanding Financial Forms...

Paying for College
1

Hi everyone, my boyfriend will be attending UMass Amherst this fall as a CS major. We are a little concerned how he will pay for college. His parents recently kicked him out of his house due to their conflicting views (long story short, his parents are pretty racist and do not support his decision to be with me, I’m not white). He is currently living with a friend.

Anyway, his parents will not be contributing to his college education whatsoever, however he is still considered a dependent under them. Unfortunately, the FAFSA has only given him ~$5500 in loans due to a high EFC of 98k. He has a few scholarships to help alleviate the cost, but the total cost for the entire year still adds up to ~$20k. He is working a part time and full time job this summer, but it is still not enough to pay for an entire year of attendance. He is unable to find a cosigner for any loans.

We found two forms on the UMass website, and they seem pretty hopeful. He has called UMass to try and understand the forms a little bit better, but I personally am still a bit worried. I am going to call UMass myself to make sure, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience in the use of these forms or any similar situations…

  1. Dependency Status Appeal Form (UMass’s copy: https://www.umass.edu/umfa/sites/default/files/Forms/Even_DEPENDENCY_%20STATUS_%20APPEAL.pdf)
  • Because he was kicked out of the house, I feel this may also be considered “abandonment” but I’m not so sure. His parents are not supporting him financially in any way (housing, food, cell phone plan, etc.) except for health insurance (although I feel the health insurance might be against us) .
  • What EXACTLY does this do ? Does this ensure that the student is given an independent status?
  1. Parent FAFSA Refusal Form (UMass’s copy: https://www.umass.edu/umfa/sites/default/files/Forms/ParentFAFSAREFUSAL15.pdf)
  • Does this allow the student to take out as much unsubsidized loans as possible?
  • Is this a guaranteed shot?
  • If the parents have already filled out the FAFSA, can the FAFSA be scrapped and replaced with this form/unsubsidized loans?

Any help is very much appreciated! If you have any other advice on the situation, that would be helpful as well!

2

First, he should make all calls on his own behalf. He really should be the one asking here too.

It is very foolish for dependent students to fight parents instead of just going to college and doing what you want there. As reprehensible as they may be, they apparently were willing to pay his education until recently. And stop using us. Health ins against ‘us’–no, against him. You have your own Fafsa criteria and eligibility.

1.it can be very difficult to get an override. Is he a minor still? When is b day? Yes it gives indie status so pell 5770 plus indie loan 10500 available from Feds.

  1. It allows the student to get the dependent student loan, I believe, when the parents won't sign Fafsa. But they did already for this year. He could use it in future years. 5,500 allowed for freshman year using either Fafsa or this form, so nothing changes/no benefit.