All was going well with college apps until I got to this question. I gladly chose yes to the Selective Service question, but my mom is an EXTREME pacifist, so I showed it to her. She immediately said no to the question, and got off on a rant…anyway…my question: Can selecting contentious objector to the Selective Service still make me eligible for federal aid? What exactly is Selective Service (I checked out the website; is it the draft if it were to come back, or is it a program affiliated with the draft if it were to come back)?
Your mother can object all she wants, but if you don’t register, you won’t get financial aid. You can be a contentious objector once you register and are called to serve. It is registering for the draft.
It’s simple. If you want financial aid, you must register. If you don’t register, you won’t get federal aid and may not get school aid.
I agreed with post #1 See http://www.finaid.org/students/selectiveservice.phtml
Is it really possible you don’t know what SS is at this stage in your life? At least in the context of college aplications? Is your mother not American?
@alfonsia no she is not. I knew what it was, but when I saw the technical definition on the website it tripped me up and made me think that SS was different from the draft. I know the basics of the draft; I am technically considered the “sole bread-winner” of my family (something during Viet.), once my parents stop playing around with stocks. I also heard that if I’m going to college, then I don’t have to go the draft (something during Viet., but I’m not too sure about this one). Dodging the draft is considered a federal offense, like treason (maybe). I know about the basics draft from US Hist. from last year. I have no problem with the draft, but it’s my parents who are against it.
The Vietnam draft was totally different from today’s draft (which does not exist). You are not the sole bread winner, your parents are. During Vietnam students could get an education deferral to attend college, for a limited time. The last year we had a draft was 1973. We haven’t even had one even during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System#Failure_to_register
SS is for you to fill in. It is not up to your parents. Are you a citizen? GC holder? How the heck are you a breadwinner LOL?
Erin’s Dad I am aware this fact, and I know times have changed, but being the only son of a non-american born foreigner I was not up to date with the exemptions. I could search them, and I have searched the exemptions. I am just looking for a way to sign up for the Selective Service, but in a way that would make my mother ok with me signing up. Currently, she is 100% against it. Anyone have any advice - @Alfonsia ? Also @Alfonsia in my history course, we only glimpsed at the draft requirements for Vietnam. The term they used was “breadwinner”. I assumed (I think my teacher explained it) that it meant the person who was the primary income holder. I know that it is for me to fill in, and think I should, and tell my mom that I am old enough to make my own decisions. She keeps going on about “you don’t know the system; they put all the poor kids on the frontlines; they don’t care about you;etc…” So, I’ll just check the SS, it’s my life. It’s not rocket science, which my mother is trying to make it seem like by overcomplicating it. Yes @Alfonsia I am a full citizen american born, GC, etc.
It is not up to your mum.
@IndubitableDan If you’re 18 and a U.S. male citizen, you must register with the Selective Service within 30 days of the day you turned 18. (If you’re not 18 yet, you can also register within 30 days before you turn 18.) This was news to me as a parent–we only found out because someone happened to mention it to us when our son turned 18. Luckily, we were within that 30-day period, and he registered. It’s the law.
@Planner well that’s good news for me, but is bad news for my parents. If I tell my parents it’s the law, then they’ll want to take me to Canada. If I tell them that I won’t go, then they won’t pay for college. It’s a lose-lose situation. Hopefully, they will understand the necessity of this civil-service. My parents are rather controlling, so it’ll take some time before they understand.
Oh the drama. Like you can just drop in to Canada on a whim LOL.Your parents live in the USA for a reason.
Even if you just go to Canada, you’re still a US citizen and must register, regardless, through the nearest embassy. You’d have to give up your citizenship to be exempt. Remember, failure to register is a violation of the Military Selective Service Act, and a conviction for such a violation may result in imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of not more than $250,000.
@Alfonsia @irlandaise I know, it’s a very stupid and trivial subject to go bonkers about. I’m turning 18 in 7 months, so I have time to sign up. Thank you for all of your help,hopefully I can convince my parents (I know that’ it’s my choice though).
Why do you think you need your parents’ permission. Just fill it in and submit. Your mom isnt’ even going to know.
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then they won't pay for college
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??? With what money…you say that you’re a poor kid.
And if you are the breadwinner, what power does she have anyway?
This is making no sense.
Just fill it out and submit. If your mom finds out and gets crazy, tell her that you’ll move to Canada if drafted. (we don’t draft anymore…and likely NEVER will)
You can even register now, since you’re at least 17 years, 3 months old. All you have to do is fill out the [url=<a href=“https://www.sss.gov/regver/wfRegistrationForeign.aspx%5Dform%5B/url”>https://www.sss.gov/regver/wfRegistrationForeign.aspx]form[/url], and it’ll be automatically submitted when you’re 18. Then you’ll never have to think about it again, and there’s not anything your parents can do.
@mom2collegebound Move to Canada? I’m staying. This stupid thing is getting a bit too dramatic. My mom was just yelling at me for wanting to live in a dorm. I’m signing it, and I’m staying. I know it doesn’t make any sense. I need all the aid that I can get. @irlandaise I know, thank you for your help.
“Like you can just drop in to Canada on a whim LOL.” - You don’t say, I know it’s stupid.
What are your stats? Where have you applied?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/lehigh-university/1723258-lehigh-ed2-chances.html#latest
@madison85 I applied to Lehigh (ED2), Lafayette, Franklin & Marshall, Villanova (legacy), and Ursinus (safety)