<p>It is up to your parents as to what they want to pay. That is the way the system is set up. I suggest you look at momoftexas 's thread on full ride scholarships and get working on some of those schools. If you can get into Rice and Emory (you've heard already?) then you can definitely get a full ride for one of such schools that give full rides, and that will get you out of the house, a good education. You can then apply to whatever you want for grad and/or med schools as you will be borrowing for those. There is little chance that you will get enough loans to pay for a private school without cosigns at this time, and not wise to take that amount in loans anyways if you are interested in going to med school. If you are in the state of Georgia (you did mention UGA) you may be eligible for the HOPE scholarship which would mean that with loans, work, savings and maybe a bit of merit money, you may be able to go away to a state school without parental aid.</p>
<p>JLH50ish, that's a good question. In most cases, the student will not be eligible for aid if the parent or stepparent refuses to provide financial info. Federal regulations must be followed. There may be cases with extenuating circumstances in which the FAO might decide Professional Judgment is in order - but those cases have something more going on than just a parent or stepparent who won't cooperate. There might be some abuse or other issue that could be documented by a clergyperson, social worker, guidance counselor, or doctor. Otherwise, the student is out of luck & can't even get an unsubsidized Stafford loan. It seems harsh, but the alternative, as you correctly surmise, is that the whole system would suffer if it was okay to just sign a form that states that the parent/stepparent won't give the info. It's definitely not a perfect system, but the laws are in place to try to keep abuses of the regulations from occurring. It just s**cks when the student is the one hurt.</p>
<p>I think they should just take into consideration my BIOLOGICAL parents unless or ADOPTIVE parents. That would be most fair. Besides it's not fair if someone has four people to list if only two are actually supporting them whereas a married couple only has the two. I have definitely been through so much and fate should at least do SOMETHING for me. Maybe I just have really bad luck. Really, really bad.</p>
<p>I'm sure you think that way, but that is not the way it is. It isn't going to help lamenting the situation. It is what it is. You do not have really bad luck. You are a great kid who will go far if you do this on your own. Trust me. It'll be YOUR life and you will be able to give your kids what you did not get. But something is often lost in the giving, take it from one who knows. I hope you do what I suggest, because I think you will do wonderfully on your own, and it will do you good to be free of your parents. In many ways you are luckier than some kids I know whose parents agreed to pay and then could not, would not when the time came to cough up the bucks. YOU know up front what the issues are and can go for the alternatives. I do wish you luck, and I hope you do this because I truly believe you can be successful and proud of doing it yourself instead of slave to your parents' whims. Many of us adults/parents have screwed up our lives and cannot help our kids as much as we would like to do so. Somehow you are a high caliber student despite these home issues, so you have many alternatives. Hugs to you, and best of luck. I truly mean it. Let us know how it goes.</p>
<p>Would there be any possible way for me to explain myself to them in person, in hopes of getting more aid, especially since I'm an URM.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Besides it's not fair if someone has four people to list if only two are actually supporting them whereas a married couple only has the two.>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Ah yes...but if there are FOUR incomes, that is four incomes not just two.</p>
<p>I agree with above posters. You probably have more options than you think you have. BUT in all cases, you are going to have to be honest on the financial aid forms if they are required.</p>
<p>momoftexas found a good number of schools with excellent merit aid...full rides. As I recall, at least some of these were based on the application ONLY...not on completion of the financial aid forms. Look for those threads. There are colleges that do have merit aid that is based on the application information only...and sometimes a special scholarship application, but NO financial aid forms. The University of South Carolina, McNair Scholarship is one of those. There is a lengthy scholarship/honors college application, but if selected, you get full cost of attendance AND a laptop. It's a fine merit program for OOS students at a fine college. The other thread you want to search for is getouttabuffalo (I'm not sure I have that spelled correctly) who I believe finally took a Pogue Scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill. She also was a McNair finalist.</p>
<p>Do you guys think that if I went in person to explain my situation to Rice and even more points if I went alone since my father doesnt want to go.</p>
<p>Pyles.....you can try. But what are you going to say? "I live with my father and stepmother. But I didn't list my stepmother's income on the Profile. Is that alright? She doesn't plan to pay for any of my college education so I didn't include her income and assets. Oh...she won't tell me what those are."</p>
<p>That is what you have said here so far...and to be honest, I don't think that is going to help you at all.</p>
<p>You could (and should) ask if Emory and Rice have any merit scholarships that cover most of the cost of attendance.</p>
<p>You can try but I honestly doubt it. Schools do make exceptions when there are extreme situations such as where there has been no contact with a parent or instances of documented abuse. Parents that are just unwilling to pay are not considered a special circumstance as then all parents would just say they won't pay. It might be worth it for your own peace of mind to talk to them so that you will know you have pursued that option.</p>
<p>If you have good enough Stats for Rice you will probably be eligible for some good merit based aid at other schools. Look for schools where your SATs/ACTs would put you in the top few % of incoming freshmen. At such schools you may qualify for for good merit aid. </p>
<p>EVen if they are not willing to contribute to your education perhaps your Dad and Stepmom will be willing to complete FAFSA so that you will at least be eligible for some non need based federal loans.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>so what would then happen if my dad and his wife were separated but not yet divorced and living in separate homes?</p>
<p>pyles...please, just be honest on your financial aid (and admissions) applications. Do not fabricate any information. Give the schools what they request...and don't try to manipulate the information in a dishonest way.</p>
<p>I wont but I'm just wondering about others who might be in this situation</p>
<p>Pyles , there are a lot of kids in your situation. A lot of parents won't or can't fill out the financial aid forms and that really puts the quash on aid. Or in a divorce situation, someone that the system says has to pay, won't pay. Happens all of the time. Happens even in intact families if one or both parents just doesn't feel they should pay for college. If a family is living at or beyond its means, regardless of what level that happens to be, there won't be $50K+ sitting around to spend on a private college. There may not even be a spare $5K. With lending at a stand still, and if poor credit is the situation, there are many families who cannot afford to pay for college because they have not prepared their lifestyles to do so, and they do not want to do so. It is very, very tough tightening that belt. Worse than a diet. In a family situation with steps there are all kinds of things happening. The government has decreed that the custodial parent and spouse have to give financial info and both of their assets and income will be examiined in giving out federal aid. That rule is for everyone. Doesn't matter if they won't pay. If the govt feels they can pay, and that is done by the numbers, then they are responsible and the student does not get aid. For private schools like Rice and Emory, you have to pull in both biological parents AND steps. They go after everyone. They don't call it EFC, or Every Friggni' Cent (really, Expected Family Contribution) for nothing.</p>
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so what would then happen if my dad and his wife were separated but not yet divorced and living in separate homes?
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<p>Your stepmom's income and assets would still be equated in the equation.</p>
<p>I am sorry for your situation but at the end of the day it is in your best interest to be truthful about your situation. Lying on your FA forms could result in fines, imprisonment, repayment to the school of all monies you received and being dismissed from school for misrepresentation.</p>
<p>If you know that your stepparent is unwilling to help pay, you must use a bottoms up approach and make sure that you have a financial safety. As others have stated, you may have to look at schools where you stand a good chance of receiving merit aid. You may have to consider ROTC and schools where you can get instate perks: Florida bright futures if you are a florida resident, georgia hope scholarship if you are a georgia resident.</p>
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so what would then happen if my dad and his wife were separated but not yet divorced and living in separate homes?
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<p>Actually if parents are separated and living in separate homes, this is the same in FAFSA's eyes as being divorced. The non-custodial parent/step-parent's income and assets are not reported. The rules here are different than for the IRS.</p>
<p>I agree with the previous posters - the situation is more than unfortunate, it's tragic. If the original poster is a senior, he has lots more options now than he would if he just found this out after application season is over.</p>
<p>AND....FAFSA is different from the PROFILE that requires the information from both custodial and non-custodial parent. They send an email with a link that is to be sent to the non-custodial parent for financial information.</p>
<p>Are Emory and Rice both Profile schools? If so, all the parents and stepparents will be reporting their income and assets.</p>
<p>I hope this poster can work this situation out. Perhaps there is some other adult who can sit with the parents and OP and discuss this....and the importance of accurate and honest information on those financial aid forms.</p>
<p>To let everyone know, if anyone else has this situation, Amherst only requires information from biological/adoptive parents and disregards fin. info from any step parents</p>
<p>I think Amherst is a really good bet...</p>
<p>Can anyone refresh my memory here? I believe that the president of Amherst was featured a year or so ago regarding his plan to expand diversity at the school. His plan wasa to include extensive financial help to those who need it.</p>