Should I Get Emancipated?

I am sixteen years old and I just graduated from high school. I was removed from my household and relocated to stay with my grandmother twice, as my legal parents and grandmother both refuse to support me. I was removed from my parents' household because of complications involving my brother who has a mental disorder. My grandmother does not wish to have me in her household because she was renting a room and the woman whom she was renting to refused to share a bathroom. Because my grandmother needed the money, she chose not to risk having her tenant leave. I have moved from Georgia to Florida (to live with my aunt who has kindly taken me in) and it is very difficult to find a job here that is legitimate for those under the age of eighteen. My father also has left it on me to purchase my own car insurance plan. I cannot purchase auto insurance unless I am of eighteen years of age. I cannot collect grants for further education because I am still claimed under my father's taxes. His income is too high for me to qualify for any educational grants. I have many costs (car insurance, gasoline, legal car tag, legal driver's license, medical needs, hygiene needs, food, and most importantly my education). I have celiac disease and depend on special (gluten-free) foods and particular medical attention. I am fortunate to not have to pay for rent and utilities. Current child labor laws are almost encouraging me to acquire an illegal identification, drive an illegal car, or even engage in illegal occupational sources for money. I've thought about joining the Air Force, but I cannot legally join until I am eighteen, unless I have parental consent. I feel that getting emancipated would eliminate a lot of current stress and possibly enable me to live my life without limitation. I do not feel productive and I am willing to work and/or attend a community college. Getting emancipated is a long process and could take months. Is it worth it? What should I do? I am too young to make some of these decisions on my own. I need advice.

-Kayla

Kayla, being emancipated means that you work full-time and support yourself 100%.

Are you doing that?

I can't support myself because I am too young to get a job. I need to be supporting myself. What other options do I have besides being illegal? I need options. I don't WANT to HAVE to resort to emancipation. Jeez, infinitives.

Emancipation laws are different for each state. Some states have very limited laws, and some don't permit emancipation at all.

Options, options. I need advice. Beyond emancipation, what else is legal. What kind of jobs can I get being 16. Child labor laws continue to grow more strict. I was working at a Waffle House in Georgia at 16, but when I moved here they said I have to be 18. They added that the law was just recently changed. Bottom line is that I need to be making some income. I have expenses. (As posted in first thread).

Talk to the unemployment office in your area for job opportunities.

The unemployment office in my area works only with those who are of age eighteen and up. My aunt actually works at the office. I need a realistic plan and something legitimate for my age.

Universities regularly offer employment to students, if you are applying for colleges, look into employment options they have. My wife was able to start work at her school 4 months before her classes even started.

How do I get into a University? (Financially)

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How do I get into a University? (Financially)

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Good point, I guess it is hard to get aid as a minor.

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How do I get into a University? (Financially)

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Go talk to colleges in your area.

You sound like a smart person.

Do some hustling (I mean legal) around to see who could hire you.

Apparently, you are the only one who cares about you.

So ... be good to yourself and find out stuff. If I knew an answer, I would tell you.

I guess I have no options? I can't get a job without a Florida license anyway, right? And I can't get a Florida license unless I'm 18? Can I use my Georgia license? College it pretty much out of the question at this point.

That's a good idea. Out-of-state tuition is rough. I wonder if there are any scholarships I could apply for...

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I cannot collect grants for further education because I am still claimed under my father's taxes. His income is too high for me to qualify for any educational grants.

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Even if you were able to get emancipated, FAFSA will not recognize you as an independent student. (If this were an option, a lot of families would be trying to use that as a way to avoid having to use parents' income as guidelines.)

FAFSA recognizes independent status:

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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) ❏ Yes ❏ No

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.

If you answered “YES” to ANY of the previous questions, you do not have to provide parental information.

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How do I get into a University? (Financially)

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I would suggest you consult with the financial aid advisor of the community college you would like to attend for options.

You could also fill out the FAFSA and look at the options that may be available to you at this site.

I need an income.

As I told you earlier: Hustle your butt and look for jobs you can do legally.

Would I need a Florida driver's license? Can I go up to the DMV right now being 16 and change it out?