What do you do if your parents refuse to provide info for fafsa for financial aid?

Question

This friend's parents refused to allow her to file FAFSA because they didn't want their taxes "in the government." They are broke and won't be able to help with tuition, so how can she go about emancipating herself financially for the FAFSA?

Answer 1

The government already has their taxes. That's where the money goes.

She needs to talk to the Financial Aid department at her college.

Answer 2

She needs to talk to the financial aid department at her school.  I talked to my FA dept because my parents don't help with my schooling or living expenses .  I live 2000 miles away from my parents.  They still wouldn't let me file without my parents info.  The only time you can go without it is if you're married, an orphan or over 24 years old.  If they absolutely wont give her the info, she needs to talk to the FA department so they can help her out.

Answer 3

"they didn't want their taxes 'in the government'". Their taxes are already "in the government". That's precisely where there tax money goes.

Answer 4

It sounds like your friend is in a tough place.  Dependency is determined by the following questions:

Were you born before January 1, 1985 (question 48)?  

At the beginning of the school year 2008-2009 will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.) (question 49)?

As of today are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated, but not divorced.) (question 50)

Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you (question 51)?

Do you have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2009 (question 52)?

Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court (question 53)?

Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training (question 54)?

Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (question 55)?

Since she has contact with her parents a professional judgement is going to be pretty much impossible for her to achieve.  She cannot just claim to be 'independent'.  

The government already has her parents tax information so their argument is invalid.  I have to wonder if they are misinformed or trying to hide something.

If they are 'broke' filing the FAFSA would only benefit their daughter.  Has anyone explained that helping her do this does not financially obligate them to helping her get in school?

She should enlist the aid of a financial aid officer at the school she wishes to attend.  Perhaps if they hear this from an 'authority' figure they might bend on their stance.

Answer 5

Claim Independence and use a different address than parents.  Old school.