<p>I just got into Stanford and I really need financial aid. My parents are divorced and I live with my mom, but she will not file the forms because she is upset with my dad and likes to complicate things, is bipolar and has severe depression, and is lazy. So basically, I'm not going to get financial aid because my mom is just incompetent. And anyway, she has an extension on her tax forms, so her taxes won't even be ready for another six months.</p>
<p>I'm 18 though, so can I just file all of my financial aid forms through my dad? I wouldn't get as much money through my dad, but at least I would get some so I think it would be worth it.</p>
<p>So basically, what do you do when a dysfunctional family relationship keeps the "custodial" parent from filing financial aid forms??</p>
<p>DId you call the school? See if they can help you with anything</p>
<p>They said that I could submit a request in writing, but my mom would have to sign it too, which completely defeats the purpose because my mom won't even cooperate with that! This is insane, I know.</p>
<p>tell your mom that you love her and that you need her support for going to college. say that she has always supported you and you need support now. and have her sign it. im not advocating lieing, but actually mean it or something. use the rhetorical skills that helped you get into stanford. goodluck.</p>
<p>If the excellent suggestion in post #4 doesn't work, are there any other adult relatives that you can recruit to help convince your mother, and guide her to cooperate? Failing that, what about a minister, school counselor, even a physician - anyone at all? This is important, you need your financial package. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance btw.</p>