How can I get money for college in my situation??

Question

Ive been on my own since i was 17, living with friends and working several jobs up unitl now. I am 20 and i want to pursue my dream of continuing school and go to college. When i applied for fafsa they asked for at least one of my parents information, but neither of them help me at all and its been that way since i was 17. so how do i get financial aid, loans, and grants if my parent information has to go on there, even though they are not helping me and i do not live with them???

Answer 1

You do not have to put your parents on there if you do not live with them. Do an independent worksheet. Basically it's for people who support themselves.

Answer 2

you call your parents and get the info from them so you can fill out the form.  Then you will be offered loans and sometimes grants.  You won't need any financial help from them to go to school, just the numbers off their tax forms.

Answer 3

Proving you're independent is next to impossible but you can try. Get together all the documentation you can. Your tax returns since you were 17, rent receipts, utility bills, bank records, checking account and credit card records--whatever you have to prove you supported yourself and paid your own bills. Apply to college and talk to the aid offices of the colleges that accept you and show them this proof. Some may accept it.

Also, ask your parents to just give you the part of their tax return that shows they were not claiming you as a dependent.

Answer 4

im in the same boat. you can do a "dependency override". find a counselor at the community college or ANYONE who will help you through the process and follow through. get statements from people who know your situation and submit that along with the 'dependency override" you will probably have to fill out a paper fafsa, and mail it in but do it. some scholarships dont ask for parental information.

dont let this deter you!

just follow through as soon as you can - dont lose that momentum.