FAFSA and Expectation of Parental Contribution

[hempeljr]

I am 22 years old and half way through my second to last year of college. Currently I do not receive any grants from the government and the amount of students loans that I am allowed to take out isn't enough to cover tuition for the year. My parents salaries are taken into consideration, although they only provide a car and insurance for me and occasionally help when I need it, but for the most part everything I need is coming from working and loans. Also, I will no longer be able to receive insurance from my parent's insurance company once I turn 23. I am in jeopardy of not being able to pay to finish college because I can't get enough money. The state of Ohio considers me emancipated because I am over 18 but the Department of Education doesn't consider me independent until I am 24. I need to become emancipated so that I can receive the grants and loans I need to finish college. Does anyone know how I can go about this or I am I stuck?

[Mr. Knowitall]

You will have to discuss these issues with your college financial aid office, as ultimately this is a financial aid issue. You have reached the age of majority and, as far as the law is concerned, you're an adult - you don't need a court order to determine that.

[Happy Trails]

I'm assuming you cannot answer yes to any of the following questions that is why you are still required to file using your parents' income information. Have you considered cutting back on some of your classes and picking up a job to help with the costs?

I'm not aware of anyway you can have independent status other than what the FAFSA form has outlined.

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Fafsa information for year 2007-2008:

SECTION 2 – STUDENT DEPENDENCY STATUS

Were you born before January 1, 1984? (Q48) ❏ Yes ❏ No

At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)? (Q49) ❏ Yes ❏ No

As of today, are you married? (Q50) (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.) “As of today” refers to the day that you sign your FAFSA. ❏ Yes ❏ No

Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you? (Q51) ❏ Yes ❏ No

Do you have dependents other than your children/spouse who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2008? (Q52) ❏ Yes ❏ No

Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court? (Q53) ❏ Yes ❏ No

Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? (Q54) ❏ Yes ❏ No

Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? (Q55)
Answer “Yes,” you are a veteran, if you:

(1) have engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard) or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and

(2) were released under a condition other than dishonorable. Also answer “Yes” if you are not a veteran now but will be by June 30, 2008. Answer “No,” you are not a veteran, if you

(1) have never engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces,

(2) are currently an ROTC student or a cadet or midshipman at a service
academy, or

(3) are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for training. Also answer “No” if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and will continue to serve through June 30, 2008.
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If you answered “YES” to ANY of the previous questions, you do not have to provide parental information. Skip to Section 4 on page 6.
If you answered “NO” to ALL of the previous questions, then you must provide parental information. Complete Section 3 on the next page.