<p>My stepson is now 19 and has been living with me full time for five years and has been estranged from his mom for two years. He has never known his biological father. We are trying to fill out the FAFSA and we do not know his mothers information. Can we complete the form without her information and without my information. </p>
<p>Nope. The FAFSA must be filled out by one of his parents. If you and his mom are no longer living together, your information does not go on the FAFSA. He must get his mom’s information in order to receive financial aid. Or he will have to file and get a dependency override</p>
<p>His mom’s info is needed unless you have become his legal guardian thru the court system. If so, then he is now independent.</p>
<p>Is he estranged from mom because of DOCUMENTED ABUSE?</p>
<p>What is a dependency Override? </p>
<p>If he is independent does that mean he doesn’t need his parents information to apply for FAFSA? If this is the case how does he complete the application because it requires the information of the parent he is living with which is neither.</p>
<p>No I’m not his legal guardian. I’m the only dad he’s ever had and have been there since he was 1-1/2 years old. I would like to adopt him one day but I was told by several people to wait till he is through college. Also getting his mother involved would not be a good idea.</p>
<p>As for the reason he is estranged it’s very complicated. There is one incident that is documented. It wasn’t bad enough that she lost custody, but the things she would do to him or make him do really had a bad effect on him. </p>
<p>It is correct that his mother will need to fill out the FAFSA … but in this case, I would imagine he has a good chance at a dependency override. If one is granted, he will only need his info - no parent info. He would have to reapply each year for the override, but that is more or less just a “nothing has changed” sort of application.</p>
<p>He should contact his school’s financial aid office to ask how to apply for a dependency override. Generally, the school requests a statement from the student that explains the situation … and he should be VERY detailed in explaining the situation (lay it all bare). His statement will need to be accompanied by supporting documentation. It is generally preferable to include statements from professionals, such as a doctor, counselor, or member of the clergy who is familiar with the situation. You should also write a statement detailing the situation (this is where you WILL go into the complicated details of the estrangement, as well as the fact that he has no contact with his bio father). </p>
<p>Best of luck … he is fortunate to have you in his life.</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for your help and I am the one that is fortunate to have him in my life. </p>