Unusual Issue With Filling Out the FAFSA

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi everyone;</p>

<p>I am helping a friend of mine fill out the FAFSA, and she ran into a bit of a snag with completing the required information. Her mother (custodial parent) abandoned her about a year ago and now lives about 1500 miles away; her mother generally refuses to speak to her. As a result, my friend is currently living alone and self-supporting. When she contacted her mother recently about gathering information for the FAFSA, she was told that her mother would never, ever provide it (they don't get along). Obviously, this information is generally required to fill out the FAFSA. The catch is that her (noncustodial) father IS willing to provide the data. She has told me that requesting a custody change is not practical, as it will take too long and cost too much in lawyer's fees.</p>

<p>Is there anything that can be done? A wavier for mom's information, perhaps? As it stands, she's receiving free lunches, so not filling out the FAFSA would likely mean leaving quite a bit of money (in the form of Pell grants) on the table.</p>

<p>I'm usually pretty good with helping people fill out these types of forms, but this isn't an issue I have ever come across before.</p>

2

<p>You need to ask kelsmom about this one. She is the expert.</p>

3

<p>Just noticed - Dad will complete the FAFSA. Have him do it. She doesn’t live with either, so use him. </p>

<p>If the relationships with both parents are irretrievably broken, a student can request a professional judgment review. She may be able to be declared independent for aid purposes. She would need to ask the school what info they want. Typically, there is a form to complete, and the student needs to write a DETAILED (and I do mean lay-your-life-out-there-for-strangers-detailed) personal statement. She will need statements that corroborate her situation, preferably from professionals (school counselor, doctor, minister, therapist) … but in the absence of those, relatives’ or friends’ statements can sometimes be used. The key is to present the facts of the case and substantiate the facts with witness statements.</p>

<p>Since Dad can give the info, she doesn’t qualify for the override … but I left the info for others, in case.</p>

4

<p>thanks kelsmom!</p>