Why does the goverment think that your parents should help pay for college?

Question

My parents combined income is a lil more that 120 grand a year, and because of this, none their five children can get any money from the FAFSA program. Here is the thing though, my parents are not going to help pay for college, and i never expected them to, niether do any of my siblings. So why in the bloody h**l does the goverment expect them to? And who came up with it in the first place? lol.

Answer 1

Parents are responsible for providing for their children.  That includes education.  In the past the US did not have public schools for anyone.  FAFSA was started to help educate children from families who could not afford to educate their children, not for families who did not want to educate their children.

Sorry, but who should you really be mad at?  I live on disability income, less than 15,000 a year, and I helped my daughter out with college - even while paying rent and  thousand of dollars in medical bills.

Answer 2

ANYONE can get financial aid in the form of student loans regardless of parents income.... so I don't know where you are getting your info from, but it's incorrect.

Keep in mind, this form of assistance would NEVER be available federal assistance because who in their right mind (besides the government) would loan money to a kid with no job and no credit history and then allow them to not pay it back for YEARS!!  Lol

Providing info regarding your parents on the fafsa does not mean they are required to pay for it or even that they intend to.

Answer 3

Parents are expected to care for their children up until the age of 18.  If a child attends college, the parents still provide for the child through medical, dental and other insurance up until the child can care for themselves (usually age 21).  That said, there are parents that do not believe in this and cut off their children as soon as they are 18.  My parents were the same way-"couldn't afford to pay because of other kids in the home."  Here is one thing to think about.  Work with your financial aid department on campus to try and declare yourself an independent.  This will help with the tuition you are expected to pay.  Since your parents will not be helping you, tell them that you would like to start declaring yourself tax-wise.  You will file your own tax returns and start the independent process.  Your parents will not be happy about this because they can not claim you if you claim yourself.  In other words, they will not be able to gain financially at tax time.  If you claim yourself and your parents claim you, the IRS will go after your parents (audit them).  Your parents can not have it both ways.  Most colleges, through the financial aid department, have extra money set aside to aid students in your position.  This will probably mean a loan, though.