Is there a way to make my "financial need" based on MY financial need, and not my parents?

Question

I am researching loan options and scholarships for college and am finding that most things are based on "financial need." My financial need based on my parents income is low, but I am financing my education myself and my income is minimum wage (when I can find a job at all, which is hard to do these days in my town). While I do have options that are not need based, my parents income is still a burden and is seriously limiting my options. Is there a way I can make my "financial need" be determined by MY financial need instead of my, in this situation, irrelevant parents?

I am seeing now that there are SOME options for people in my position while still using their parents income information, but it just seems so silly to me that I would have to when they do not even factor into the equation, and lose potential aid as a result. I don't see why I should get any less aid than someone else who makes $7.15 an hour.

Answer 1

You could always focus on school that offer full tuition.  Several of them are doing it now because they have such huge endowments.

Berea College in KY doesn't charge tution but they do require all students accepted into the school to work

Answer 2

You have to use your parents income to apply on your FAFSA, even if you are independent. I know, it's stupid.

The only way you are "independent" in the governments eyes are #1: if your parents die #2 You get married

I'm getting married this October so I can't apply for financial aid until then. It really frustrates me because it really limited my options as well.

Answer 3

I would encourage you to file your fafsa if you have not done so already.  The only way not to report your parents income is to be over the age of 24, married, have kids who you support, be an orphan or a veteran or earn a bachlors degree.  

NOTE:  where you live has nothing to do on if you report parents income... just so you know.  

This is a good book about student loans (with interest rates and max amounts you can borrow) and grants.

Good luck.