<p>Okay, well. I’m applying to several schools. I’ll be accepted at some of them. My parents are… weird, they’re not doing my FAFSA. I’m certainly going to go for a dependency override. If I’m not granted one… would taking a year off and moving in with someone who would do the FAFSA hurt my chances of readmission?</p>
<p>By choice I mean… I have no other way to afford it unless I want to rob a bank or something.</p>
<p>What do you mean, your parents aren’t doing FAFSA? They’re refusing to fill out the form?</p>
<p>You can fill it out yourself, if you can get your hands on their tax returns (shouldn’t be hard, I know exactly where my folks keep theirs and I’ve never done anything with them).</p>
<p>Do they realize that by filling it out they’re not obligated to pay for ANYTHING?</p>
<p>If you mean that they won’t contribute the EFC, well, most people’s parents won’t or can’t. The trick is getting a scholarship (or several) that cover(s) most of it.</p>
<p>As far as admissions following a break: I took a 2-year break because I couldn’t afford college and my parents have terrible credit (we’re talking scores in the 400s) so I couldn’t even take out loans. I ran my own business, and so far I’ve gotten into 2 out of 3 schools already. One adcom literally said, “I love working with students who have taken time off. They really see the full picture.” Just work full-time, or, better yet, do an AmeriCorps program (automatic $4,700 scholarship AND great experience) and you’ll be just fine.</p>
<p>meh. just rob the bank.</p>
<p>As long as you have access to your parents tax returns, you can easily fill it out yourself. It’s simple and straightforward.</p>