<p>I just finished my Online Fafsa. I had a couple of questions about some of the questions asked on there. When asking about the dependency of the student the question of "Are both parents deceased" came up. My father is living but my mother passed away when I was a senior in High SChool. When my mother passed away I was left to live with my step-father Who I now pay rent to so that I may continue living there. My father on the other hand wouldn't lend me a dollar or see me let alone help pay for college. So this means Im on my own right? To the answer of are both parents dead I claimed yes so that I would not have to fill out parental information. IS this right or should I change it. I don't want to be doing anthing illegal but can't afford to lose a dollar of aid. What should I do. Please help!!</p>
<p>Well your father is not dead so it is incorrect (and probably illegal) to say on FAFSA that he is. I believe the correct procedure is to request a dependency override where the finaid officer can override the dependancy section and cause you to be treated as independent. This would have to be done by the financial aid officer at your school and you would have to provide proof of long term lack of contact and support. There is some information here.
FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Dependency Overrides
Contact your schools finaid department ASAP for expert guidance. Good luck.</p>
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When my mother passed away I was left to live with my step-father Who I now pay rent to so that I may continue living there. My father on the other hand wouldn't lend me a dollar or see me let alone help pay for college
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<p>I am sorry for your loss. </p>
<p>The fafsa and the school wll want to know how you are supporting yourself and paying rent to your steofather. In addition schools that use the profile will want information about your father's income and assets.</p>
<p>Trying to get a dependency override is going to be a very uphill battle as very few students are granted one. According to the link swimcatsmom provided it states the following...</p>
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<p>In particular, **the following circumstances do not merit a dependency override, either alone or in combination: </p>
<p>Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education; **</p>
<p>Parents are unwilling to provide information on the application or for verification; </p>
<p>Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes; </p>
<p>Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
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<p>Thank you very much for your help. this helps alot</p>