<p>I’ve been on my own completely since I was 16, and at 18 I’m obviously still doing so. My father was abusive, so I was removed by police, but living arrangements were settled outside of court (so fortunately and unfortunately I couldn’t be a fancy schmancy ward of the state). Now, I don’t have contact with my parents (in fact, the last thing my mom said to me was that she’d never help me with anything to do with college and would rather see me flip burgers…and trust me - she means it). How do I fill it out if I can’t get their info? No, there is NO way they will. I heard about dependency override, but what can I use to prove my position? It takes getting rejected from FAFSA first and then appealing the case for EACH individual college…what do I say and how do I go about doing that? Should I include a mugshot of my dad (not really, but I assume I need A LOT of proof)?</p>
<p>Where have you been living? Who has been paying for your food and shelter?</p>
<p>There are some on this board that know how to handle this, but I think it involves getting a statement/signature from a reputable 3rd party person - like a priest or school counselor - stating that parents have not been involved with the child for a period of time.</p>
<p>Yes, dependency override may apply. Read these very carefully:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.kidscounsel.org/dependency%20override.pdf[/url]”>http://www.kidscounsel.org/dependency%20override.pdf</a>
[FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Dependency Overrides](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/educators/pj/dependencyoverrides.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/educators/pj/dependencyoverrides.phtml)</p>
<p>Next, contact the financial aid offices of your colleges of interest; they will know how to handle your case.</p>
<p>I don’t know how to handle Fafsa. If you have to do that first, get on it right on January 1st. </p>
<p>And I’d ASSUME that you would be considered an independent, but I haven’t looked into that. Check that first. </p>
<p>I do know a bit about the step to obtain a “Non custodial parent” waiver request for the CSS Profile…but I don’t THINK that is probably what you need. This is a form that is used if the first parent has no contact with the other parent. I will say though, that it’s fairly easy. </p>
<p>So start by e-mailing College Board your question (or calling) - but get all these ducks in a row NOW, before the holidays so you can hit the ground running on January 1. CSS Profile is due at some schools 2/1! Ask them, and find out HOW one waits for FAFSA and still gets the profile in before 2/1? You say “on my own”. they’re gonna need to know what you mean. In a group home? Living with an aunt or friend? Have a job? </p>
<p>They will probably have you contact EACH college that you’re applying to, that requires the Profile. That’s what I had to do for our Non-Custodial Parent waiver form. College Board doesn’t handle it in a blanket way.</p>
<p>Each college had a different form/process. One just asked me to fax a letter. But most had a form, and they were very similar. You attest to the fact that you have no contact with the parent and the provide no funds. Most do also request a letter or even 2, from people who can corroborate your story. Not an attorney or family member. They suggest ministers, professionals (doctor, school counselor), etc. Are you a ward of the court? Do you have a social worker? </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>When I say, “on my own” I am living with a roommate, paying rent, and paying for my cell phone and food (which goes without saying). I have no help from any other person - not on food stamps or medicaid; nothing. Yes, I have a part-time job after school that I work 29 hours a week. Okay, with that said, now what? By the way, these answers are great. Thank you so much.</p>
<p>Being independent is mostly irrelevant when you’re under 25; what counts is abuse and abandonment being the reasons. But, again, read the links above, and then contact the schools’ financial aid offices; each school must process the dependency waiver individually, and they will tell you how to do it.</p>
<p>It sounds like the OP was essentially abandoned. There should be something that would work with that.</p>
<p>does your school know that you live away from your parents? When you’re sick and must miss school, who signs your notes?</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve already read this. It does say each SCHOOL makes the decision if there are “special circumstances”. So…again, contact FAFSA, CSS PRofile ANd each school before you start. </p>
<p>But…I will add - a giant GOOD LUCK to you. I’m sorry your parents were able to produce a kid who is this determined to go to college, but aren’t proud enough of you to participate in that endeavour. You ARE the type who will succeed. Don’t give up! YOu NEED this education. Get it wherever you can afford it and you’ll do great things. So many kids on here whining about how their parents want them to select a particular Ivy over another (for example) or wanting MORE than they’ve got. You’re working for ANY education. And you’re just “making things happen/getting ON with life” outside of the normal routes people in your position usually have to take. And you’re STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL! My D goes to a school that includes students from the lowest incomes in our area, and they lost 100 students between Jr and Sr year (drop-outs)…100! So just one last word of encouragement…you’ll be in the same place as your parents if you let this slip away…get the diploma…then GET THAT DEGREE! Well done you. </p>
<p>"The student has special and unusual extenuating circumstances that can be documented for his or her college financial aid administrators, who may then request a “dependency override” on the FAFSA application. (Note: Exceptions are granted very rarely and only in extreme cases.) Students should contact the financial aid office at the school they will be attending for additional information.
IMPORTANT:
Many students feel that they should be able to declare INDEPENDENT status because they live on their own, file their own taxes, or receive no support from their parents. Unfortunately, the Department of Education is extremely strict with regard to determining dependency status.</p>
<p>If you are considered a DEPENDENT student (do not meet the criteria listed above) and do not provide your parents’ information on your FAFSA, your application WILL BE REJECTED."</p>
<p>Were you ever a ward of the court after the age of 13, even for a single day? If so, you are automatically independent. If you were removed by the police, maybe there was a day you were legally a ward? Did you become legally emancipated? If so, you are automatically independent. Otherwise, you do have to go through the hoops for a dependency override at each school.</p>
<p>When you fill out the FAFSA, you will not get a valid EFC. You will need to contact each school to let them know that you completed the FAFSA without parent info & that you need to apply for a dependency override. Each school will be different. Unless the dependency override is approved, your FAFSA EFC will remain unofficial for that school & you will not receive any aid.</p>
<p>From what you have shared, I don’t think it should be all that difficult to prove that you are a viable candidate for a dependency override. You can begin gathering required documentation now. I assume you have a guidance counselor who is familiar with your situation. Get him/her to write a letter on school letterhead explaining what he/she knows about your situation (in detail). Get another letter from an “outsider” who can support what you say about your situation … court, police officer, clergy, doctor, therapist, etc. If you can’t get the second letter, find someone who can provide a letter that will support your story. Write your own statement. Make sure you provide ALL the details (ask your letter writers to do the same) … this is not the time to leave things out. Make sure you present the situation in all its sad truth. This is what will allow the aid administrator to approve a dependency override.</p>
<p>When I’m sick, I sign my notes. I’m emancipated through the school, not the state because that would have been a long and difficult process more than waiting it out. Plus, now I’m 18. My father did abuse me, which led to my moving out.</p>
<p>How do I go about filing as an independent? Will doing so help me more in getting my override, or will my results come out virtually the same? I know it’s hard to get, so I want to do everything to prove and make sure that I don’t get rejected when it’s too late (which is why I’m asking all of this over break when I have the chance).</p>
<p>I was never a ward of the court, unless maybe when I was held in the shelter during my 6 day waiting period before being held with my sister when I was first taken from my parents. No one ever told me, nor have I heard in my records, that I was a ward of the court, not even for a baby second. Additionally, do I still have to get rejected before contacting the schools? FAFSA told me that that’s what I would have to do, then contact each school individually. How will they know when I send the letters that it is for that particular reason? I’m worried about the detail work. I can get my guidance counselor to write a letter for sure because she wrote my rec letter which I told her about obstacles I’ve faced throughout high school. My Asst. Principle also knows that situation very well, as well as my roommate. I want to pick the best person to explain what’s going on, however.</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much for your words of encouragement and verbal pats on the back. As I’m sure you can see, I’m really trying despite my disadvantage, but I don’t see it as an excuse to not take it all the way.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>“Baby Second” ? I’ve never heard that. I love that term.</p></li>
<li><p>You might need TWO or more letters, so you might start asking ALL those people if they can work on them for you. I think most of the schools will take as many/as much info/data/letters as you can provide…I know that’s how they’ve been with me and the waiver for the non custodial profile. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m SO GLAD you said you’re worried about the “detail work”. I wish I had a daughter like that! I just KEEP coming back her to say “good job!” You’re right…this stuff, especially since some of it relates to “government work” can take FOREVER. </p></li>
<li><p>It’s good to get all the info you can on here, so I’m bumping again for someone who knows the steps of this situation. BUT…do start with colleges A.S.A.P. Get in touch with their financial aid, tell them what you told us, and see what they have to say. They’re now probably all closed for the holidays, unfortunately. </p></li>
<li><p>Do you have any type of social worker you can contact? I think that’s usually handled by the STATE? Should be a way to get some answers without an attorney. They know who to call, how to check to see if you were ever a ward (I assume). I don’t know how you file for independent status, contact FAFSA. You ask if it will help you get your “override”…I assume you mean the fact you might not have to get your parents’ data. I don’t know, I’ve never done this, but I imagine that’s exactly what it means. If a person gains “independent” status, they surely can’t get/expect the parent data. AND you should get GREAT aid because I’m sure you earn little to nothing yourself. Now that you’re on school break…google everything! Library too? There are tons of FAFSA f.a.q.s. </p></li>
<li><p>I know this will work out for you. Have faith in the outcome because you’re doing the right thing. The devil’s in the details. But you’ll plod through it. I know I’ve already planned to get my tree down before Jan 1 JUST so that my mind is clear of everything else and I can wake up and sit down at the computer and get started! (I’ve got a lot of “weirdness” in my D’s financial aid stuff too). By the way…I was orphaned at age 5, raised by older siblings and aunts, moved all the time, etc…and we’re now all over age 50 with kids and great jobs and businesses and money. My brother put himself entirely through school, full time job the whole time and all summer. (I’ll play your surrogate Mother today).</p></li>
</ol>
<p>“How do I go about filing as an independent?”</p>
<p>It has been said a few times:</p>
<p>“Next, contact the financial aid offices of your colleges of interest; they will know how to handle your case.”</p>
<p>“Students should contact the financial aid office at the school they will be attending for additional information.”</p>
<p>“You will need to contact each school to let them know that you completed the FAFSA without parent info & that you need to apply for a dependency override.”</p>
<p>I would guess that you WERE a temporary ward of the court when you were initially taken from your parents. You should check with the agency that held you … if you were a ward, you can truthfully fill out the FAFSA as independent (you would need to get the paperwork, which the court in that jurisdiction would have). </p>
<p>Otherwise, you have no choice but to fill out the FAFSA, let it reject, and contact each school.</p>
<p>Perfect. All of these answers are great - I’m pretty sure this completes it. I guess in conclusion, I’m going to start my FAFSA early and do it over the phone with the people who walk you through it. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!</p>