I am a junior in high school with a bit of a predicament. My parents recently found out that I am gay and have not been accepting to say the least. My home environment has been toxic for a number of years, with Children and Youth even getting involved, and I have reached my breaking point. Consequently, I plan on leaving as soon as I turn 18 next year to stay with my extended family, all of whom are nothing but loving and supportive.
I turn 18 in March, which will be after I apply to colleges and for financial aid. I do not want to allow my parents to have anymore control over me or have the ability to continue verbally abusing me once I become an adult. My extended family has offered to send me to college, but can they do that if I have to apply for financial aid using my parents tax returns and such? Is there anyway that I can apply for aid with my relatives’ financial information?
Are there any other options for my college tuition to either be funded by aid or by my relatives helping me? I am applying for multiple scholarships right now, but I don’t know what else to do or to expect.
Unless you become emancipated from your parents before age 18, your parents will need to provide their financial information to colleges on the application forms.
Your extended family cannot do this in their place…and really won’t be able to ever…unless your parents give up parental rights and one of them adopts you…before age 18.
If you are removed from your home, and legally placed in guardianship before age 18, then I believe you would be independent for financial aid purposes.
As you can see…any of these options would need to take place prior to age 18, and all are legal processes…that take time…and you would need help with them.
Once you are 18, none of the above would apply.
NOW…if your extended family can pay in full for your college education…certainly they can do so…but they would not be on your financial aid application forms.
If you need financial aid to attend college, you might have an issue applying if your parents won’t provide their financial information.
Would a possibility be my extended family paying the tuition (minus whatever scholarships I get, if any) in full for my freshman year, and then applying for aid sophomore year with their information?
Your extended family cannot be used in place of your parents when applying for financial aid.
The ONLY ways your parents can be excluded on the financial,aid forms.
You are placed in legal guardianship before age 18. If so...you would be independent for financial aid purposes....just YOUR info would go on the forms. No extended family.
If you become an emancipated minor...must happen BEFORE age 18 and with cause. Again...you would be independent and no one else but you would be on the forms.
Your parents give up parental rights, and extended family ADOPTS you...legally...before age 18. Then they would be your new adoptive parents. BUT your parents would need to give up parental rights.
You get a dependency override...but I don't see anything here that would indicate you would be eligible for one. Not agreeing with family regarding sexual orientation is not a basis for a dependency override.
PLUS…what would you gain? At most schools you would get a $5900 Pell Grant, and a $5500 Direct Loan for freshman year, Pell in that amount onkynif your EFC was $0.
You must have Child protection services involved, have a record in place as to why you should leave your home (record any instance of verbal or physical abuse - record or take picture), and ask for emancipation BEFORE you turn 18.
Good advice so far. Your extended family can of course pay for your college if they want to, and they can afford whatever the cost is.
If their funds are limited, then you can apply for schools where you’d get a lot of merit aid (not need-based financial aid but aid based on your test scores and grades), so you can wither attend for free or bring the cost down to whatever your extended family can afford.
While I have nothing to add about your current situation, I wish you happiness regardless to your sexual orientation and I hope at some point your parents will embrace you for you!
At least make sure you have documentation of the abuse and that CPS can back you up.
DO NOT announce your intentions to your parents. DO NOT “burn bridges” with them - in time, I’m sure they’ll come to accept you and while they may still be abusive, you may be able to start a limited relationship once you’re in college away from them.
DO NOT wait, as the process may take a while, and you cannot be 18 and older.