<p>One of my kids has a friend who I think should request an override for independent status. I was wondering if anyone with experience (especially the financial aid counselors on the board) could tell me what kind of documentation this kid would need and who would need to write the letters of support. (I realize the individual counselor might be the one deciding but what would normally be expected?) </p>
<p>To make a long story short, the kid lives on his own and is trying to work his way through the community college but can't make it. He moved out after turning 18yo because his parents are just unstable. The father has a decent job (salaried govt job) but is older and sick (cancer)-- too sick to deal with mom who is bipolar. (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt because things got a lot worse after his cancer.) Parents declared bankruptcy and subsequently had to move because social services threatened to take the kids away because of the state of the house. Mom goes manic and just spends on silly things but then there's no food for the kids or money to pay bills. Mom can't get the younger kids up for school so they skip a lot. Anyway, this kid graduated a few years ago and finally moved out but is making minimum wage and can't get the money together for tuition. I really think he should go in and talk to a financial aid counselor but he's embarrassed and doesn't think there's any hope. What kind of documentation would he need? I don't know how much of this was apparent to the school because he tried to hide a lot of his parents' failings.</p>
<p>I helped a friend of my daughters’ though this a few years ago. Her case was somewhat different in that she had not lived with her mother since she was 12 when she was kicked out and moved in with an aunt/uncle. Her aunt and uncle did become her legal guardians in high school which now gets you an automatic independent status but then it did not.</p>
<p>Her GC told her to get her mom’s info and file as a dependent. She did that. Then she worked with financial aid directly - they had her write a statement and get supporting statements - I wrote one, her aunt and uncle wrote one and the GC wrote one.
The FA office was then able to override the dependency.</p>
<p>In the case of your kids friend - sounds like there is no money anyway and perhaps he would have a Zero efc without the override. If needed what the override can give is access to more unsubsidized loans and this can be a help to a kid on their own. Tell him not to be embarrassed - he can’t control his parents. In fact, coming clean to the college will be to his benefit, IMO. They will see a young man who is trying hard to better his life.
Good luck - he’s lucky to have you help him.</p>
<p>He will need a personal statement that lays things bare … uncomfortable for boys to do, but it is imperative that he detail events. KerissaK (a young CC post-er) tried for a dependency override & was refused. After coming to CC for advice, she wrote the detailed letter, obtained the necessary documents, and got her override.</p>
<p>He will also need any documentation he can get. Professionals are ideal … high school guidance counselor, doctor, therapist, clergy person … but adult friends & family members will do in the absence of professional letters. These letters also need to contain as much detail about what has gone on in the household as possible (specific events). If there are ANY write-ups the young man can obtain, that would be really good … police reports, department of family services reports, etc.</p>
<p>It can be done.</p>