<p>Originally my parents were going to pay for college, however, because of a bumpy relationship they are no longer going to support me and I may stay in the house until I graduate high school in June, and then at that point I'm on my own. I don't have a job (my "job" was to make the grades to get into a good school) and I have no money saved up. So as of now I'm trying to figure out my options for school. I have applied and been admitted to Texas A&M, SMU, Texas Tech, TCU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State, but I filled out all scholarship/FAFSA information as if my parents would be footing the bill, which is a problem (along with me being unemployed and broke). I don't know if anyone else has been in this situation and could offer any guidance. Should I e-mail the financial aid departments for these schools and see about student loans or other options to try to attend classes this fall or should I reapply for 2011 spring/fall admission with proper FAFSA/scholarship information? Or am I just out of luck, and should start working and taking community college classes?</p>
<p>Your financial aid eligibility will be based on your parents eligibility to pay. The fact that they are now saying they will not pay will not make you eligible for any more aid.</p>
<p>Ok, well I filled out EVERYTHING on my applications as if my parents were paying 100% for school. If I contact the schools financial aid counselors and talk to my counselor at the high school, will they be able to work with me to get the student loans, aid programs, etc. that I would need to attend classes in the fall? Or is it a long shot? I would of course be working the 4 years that I would be there</p>
<p>What was your EFC when you submitted FAFSA? That will still be in effect.</p>
<p>Are you certain that the “bumpy” relationship will continue? Is there any hope that fences can be mended? It sounds like you’ve been a good student; it just seems odd that they would want to cut you out of their life once you graduate? Will they attend your graduation? </p>
<p>Were your stats high enough to qualify for any scholarships?</p>
<p>EFC is 99999…unfortunately the relationship as past repair. I have received some scholarships such the Faculty Scholarship (TCU), Nonresident Achievement Scholarship (OSU), and Distinguished Scholar (SMU).</p>
<p>
You won’t be eligible for need based aid with that EFC. Need based aid is based on the parent’s ability to pay as determined by their income and assets reported on FAFSA. Their unwillingness to pay does not change that at all. You should be eligible for unsubsidized Stafford loans. The maximum for a freshman is $5500.</p>
<p>Ok so basically whether or not my parents decide to pay for college has no effect on what financial aid I receive? It’s their ability to pay for school that dictates the amount of financial aid you are eligible for? I’m meeting with my high school counselor tomorrow to discuss the situation, and from what it sounds like I need to ask her about student loans, work study programs, etc.</p>
<p>
Exactly.</p>
<p>You will be eligible for non need based aid such as unsubsidized Stafford loans. With your high EFC you will not be eligible for need based aid such as the Pell grant (which requires an EFC of 4617 or less),or subsidized loans , or federal work study.</p>
<p>I see. Thanks for all the info so far, I’ve also found a lot of helpful links. After reading around I see that my situation isn’t uncommon, which is kind of reassuring, but hopefully my counselor can point me in the right direction</p>
<p>Nbeasle:</p>
<p>The maximum loan you can take out yourself with that EFC is the unsubsidized Stafford for $5,500. That is it. Your parents could take out a PLUS loan, but it does not sound like they will do that. You will not receive any FA including work study. This will not change because your parents decided not to pay. It can’t. </p>
<p>You have several choices:</p>
<ul>
<li>get your parents to pay</li>
<li>take a gap year to earn money and start at a CC in 2011</li>
<li>take several gap years and reapply to a state school</li>
<li>enlist in the military for several years to get GI Bill benefits</li>
</ul>
<p>The fact that your parents won’t pay is immaterial for FA. And you won’t be declared independent until you are 24, married, on active duty military, or have a kid for which you provide >50% of support</p>
<p>Sorry this happened to you!</p>
<p>I agree with the choices above.</p>
<p>I am so sorry that this has happened. I know that you think the relationship is beyond repair, and perhaps it is if abuse or something like that is involved. However, sometimes emotions flare in families and it can seem that nothing can resolve the situation. Is there an extended family member that can intercede? </p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that a family would cut you off like this, have you still live in the home til graduation, and then what? Will they not attend your graduation or other senior events (there are often many senior events). Do you attend a public or private school?</p>
<p>I met with my high school counselor today to discuss the situation. Her and her daughter had a similar experience recently…D wanted to attend A&M and had very little help paying for it from the parents. She told me to call the A&M (my first choice) perspective student center and set up an appointment to meet with the financial aid director, who will be able to lay out all my options for me and tell me if A&M is a realistic option for the fall. I’m applying to all the scholarships I qualify for so hopefully I can get some kind of help. I will be working part time for the remainder of my senior year and I will also work during the summer to save up as much money as possible before the fall.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids, it’s just a really complicated situation and there’s been tension with my parents for years now. And to answer your question I attend public school.</p>
<p>repair your relationship with your parents?</p>
<p>A few other options and these are indeed drastic.</p>
<p>Work with social services, family court or legal aid…I don’t know your situation- but if emotional or physical abuse is involved, take the steps to emancipate yourself BEFORE you turn 18. It may involve Social Services and a temporary foster home for a few months (or living with another friend or relative)…but if you are an emancipated minor…you may qualify for financial independence.</p>
<p>If you are near a large university with a law school-- head over to the legal clinic for low income people-- they can also assist you with the process.</p>
<p>I do hope that you can seek counseling for yourself so that you can understand what /how the damaged family relationship will impact your relationship with others now and in the future.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you on all fronts-- emotional and financial!</p>
<p>You should definitely make an appointment with A&M. It’s easier to believe a distraught teenager in person than it is in writing.</p>
<p>Thanks mom2012and14 for the info. I’m already 18 however and I wouldn’t want to take any kind of legal action against my parents. I appreciate what they have done for me thus far, but my parents and I have just never seen eye to eye. I appreciate all the advice and sending me in the right direction</p>
<p>Well, good luck. Let us know how your meetings go with schools and such.</p>
<p>Will anyone be going to your graduation?</p>
<p>It would not be legal action AGAINST your parents-- they don’t get into any sort of trouble per se - -unless they beat you …that’s a serious matter.</p>
<p>Emancipation or Abandonment do qualify you for financial independence status on a FAFSA in MOST cases-- but it would appear to be a scam if in fact you are still living there under their roof , eating their food, etc.</p>
<p>If you truly have been abandoned financially-- you are in the best place by setting that in motion while still enrolled in high school…it’s tricky being over 18…but still a possibility.</p>
<p>You really should speak to a lawyer.</p>
<p>You did say your relationship is beyond reconciliation-- but if you are able to live there and be civil towards one another- perhaps all is truly not lost.</p>
<p>The most pressing issue is paying for school-- I would not rule out legally setting steps in motion to do so – no harm talking to social service, guidance counselors, family court, an attorney…they are not going to lock up your parents unless of course you are /were routinely beaten, denied food and shelter, or something dreadful along those lines.</p>
<p>Maybe they are just threatening…testing you…but if you pay the admissions deposit and “suck up” you can get the difference between the COA-EFC from your parents…less of course any summer earnings, school work study and maximum student loans?</p>
<p>Have you asked them if they would agree to loan you the $$ – signing a legally binding promissory note specifying the interest rate and terms of repayment?</p>
<p>ANd and FYI- schools will smell anything that is not completely genuine in terms of financial aid…</p>
<p>I’m sorry to hear about the rift with your parents. Are your grades pretty good? If so, I would be looking around for colleges who might offer you a free ride, even if they aren’t your favorites. But definitely meet with A&M Texas and explain your situation, too.</p>
<p>So I take it you’re literally being kicked out of the house after you graduate from high school? You need to get a job ASAP and start saving for a place to live.</p>
<p>If worst comes to worst, you may have to postpone your college plans for a while and just focus on surviving. Some colleges may consider you an independent student if you’re able to show that you’re completely on your own with no contact/financial help from your parents for a year or two.</p>
<p>What, exactly, do your parents want of you? That is a pretty drastic change going from “We’ll pay for college” to “you ain’t getting a dime.”</p>
<p>There may be some middle ground --and if you can’t find it, your pride is going to cost you a very great deal. </p>
<p>Please know that you are unlikely to get loans on your own signature (usually parents co sign). Colleges are pretty tough about expecting parents to contribute – and it is only by drastic measures (you join the military or you file court papers) that you get around that reality. </p>
<p>Lead. Ask parents if you all can go to a therapist. </p>
<p>Pride isn’t a virtue. It is one of the seven deadly sins. You are thinking you can stomp off and get your education and give the folks the old middle finger salute. </p>
<p>What is more likely is that you will end up with a minimum wage job for a very long time. Or you will do a couple of tours in Afghanistan. </p>
<p>Kids will go to great lengths to be independent. They will turn to selling their bodies to have independence. </p>
<p>Before you go down one of those very miserable roads, please compare your life to other teens. If your parents are beating you then you must go, no matter what the cost. If you are being tortured or sexually abused, then you must go, no matter what the cost. But if your parents love you in some fashion and just have different (although strong) opinions, you are being . . . a bit prickly and proud . . . and possibly a bit distainful and hurtful . . . and putting yourself on a ruinous path to salve your pride. </p>
<p>Take a hard look and make sure you aren’t part of the problem. Good luck.</p>