Maryland Emancipation of an 18 Year Old

I have a friend that I am trying to help attain financial emancipation. She is 18 currently (July 3, 2007) , and will be 19 within the next month. She is trying to get into college and first tried entering the military, but it is looking like her feet will disqualify her from this option. She tried going to the local community college, but they told her that though the state age for emancipation is 18, the college will not recognize her as financially independent until she is 24. Her parents kicked her out a week before her 18th birthday and she has not been supported since then. She lives in an apartment with other friends, pays her own bills, works two jobs, and supports herself totally on her own. We tried to look up emancipation laws, but could only find information on the emancipation of minors. As she is 18, almost 19, she does not qualify as a minor, obviously. Where should we look to find her information on financial emancipation between the ages of 18 and 24 for the purpose of college loans. If they count her as financially independent, she should qualify for community college for almost free. Please help.

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Under that FASFA form, she would still have to provide financial information from her parents. Is there no other way to be recognized as financially independent/emancipated?

Well, that is the form that she would use in order for them to determine what she would qualify for in terms of financial aid.

I know of other students that have had a "falling out" with their parents and have not been able to obtain the parents' financial information. The law does not require that the parents MUST provide that information, but the guidelines on the FAFSA form are quite clear.

I have also heard a "rare story" or two that someone has been able to convince the financial aid office that they should be considered "independent" for financial aid, but I am skeptical as to what they may have done to convince the school of this and to whether or not it was legal.

I would suggest your friend consult with the financial aid advisor at the community college she would like to attend for options.

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

Also, could she possibly convince her parents to provide the necessary information that is required?