Declaring yourself dependant?

[renistyflave]

Hi. My name is Aimee, and I live in NY. Here's the problem: I hate my family life and am moving out. I turn 18 tomorrow actually, and I'll be moving out a couple days after, as soon as I take my road test and get my license. The problem is, the FAFSA. I have to fill it out with my parents' information. That ruins my life, because my dad had a pretty high paying job, and I'll get no financial aid because of it. And they obviously won't pay anything towards college, because I'm moving out.

And before you all say that the answer to my problems is just to stay home, well, listen. My dad just got laid off like a month ago, so there is no income anymore. But he still has to file his income from last year, so it looks like we're making a lot. Plus, he bought a house recently, and is renting it out at this moment, so it looks like we have even more assets that we don't. And even if we had money, my parents have been telling me since I was 5 that they wouldn't pay for college at all.

So my question is: Is there any way at all that I can file myself as an independant so that I can get more financial aid, and not have to take out Stafford Loans that will haunt me the rest of my life?

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

Hi. My name is Aimee, and I live in NY. Here's the problem: I hate my family life and am moving out. I turn 18 tomorrow actually, and I'll be moving out a couple days after, as soon as I take my road test and get my license. The problem is, the FAFSA. I have to fill it out with my parents' information. That ruins my life, because my dad had a pretty high paying job, and I'll get no financial aid because of it. And they obviously won't pay anything towards college, because I'm moving out.

And before you all say that the answer to my problems is just to stay home, well, listen. My dad just got laid off like a month ago, so there is no income anymore. But he still has to file his income from last year, so it looks like we're making a lot. Plus, he bought a house recently, and is renting it out at this moment, so it looks like we have even more assets that we don't. And even if we had money, my parents have been telling me since I was 5 that they wouldn't pay for college at all.

So my question is: Is there any way at all that I can file myself as a dependant so that I can get more financial aid, and not have to take out Stafford Loans that will haunt me the rest of my life?

Everything you just said is moot. If you are 18 tomorrow and apply for college, then you are applying for college. (Do you get that).

Your parents are not legally bound, nor are you to use their income/non income.



Good Luck, it is on your back.

 

[AHA]

Hi. My name is Aimee, and I live in NY. Here's the problem: I hate my family life and am moving out. I turn 18 tomorrow actually, and I'll be moving out a couple days after, as soon as I take my road test and get my license. The problem is, the FAFSA. I have to fill it out with my parents' information. That ruins my life, because my dad had a pretty high paying job, and I'll get no financial aid because of it. And they obviously won't pay anything towards college, because I'm moving out.

And before you all say that the answer to my problems is just to stay home, well, listen. My dad just got laid off like a month ago, so there is no income anymore. But he still has to file his income from last year, so it looks like we're making a lot. Plus, he bought a house recently, and is renting it out at this moment, so it looks like we have even more assets that we don't. And even if we had money, my parents have been telling me since I was 5 that they wouldn't pay for college at all.

So my question is: Is there any way at all that I can file myself as a dependant so that I can get more financial aid, and not have to take out Stafford Loans that will haunt me the rest of my life?

So get a job and start supporting yourself, you are an adult now, no more living off of your parents cash.

 

[JETX]

Your parents are not legally bound, nor are you to use their income/non income.

Sorry, but not correct.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) does consider the parents financial condition in the evaluation process.

To the OP:

Is there any way at all that I can file myself as a dependant so that I can get more financial aid

Not if you intend to use FAFSA as a financial source. If you want to access the 'privilege' of FAFSA, then you WILL need to include your parents information.

 

[renistyflave]

I do have a job, and I have enough money to buy a car or whatever, but absolutely no way to pay for college. And I don't mean an awesome car or anything, like a 500 dollar one lol. What I meant was I want to file myself as an INdependant, so that my parents income wouldn't give me no financial aid.

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

Sorry, but not correct.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) does consider the parents financial condition in the evaluation process.

To the OP:

Not if you intend to use FAFSA as a financial source. If you want to access the 'privilege' of FAFSA, then you WILL need to include your parents information.[/QUO

Point taken.

 

[JETX]

What I meant was I want to file myself as an INdependant, so that my parents income wouldn't give me no financial aid.

Then you need to find another funding source that does not consider your parents income/assets. FAFSA does.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

The age of majority in NY is 21 however your parents are not obligated to send you to college and their income is considered for loans.

Now look at this from a practical view. Even though circumstances have recently changed, re your father's income, it also is suspitious in some ways. Be that as it may, you have known since you were a mere child that your parents were never planning to send you to college and you have had plenty of time to apply for scholarships if you kept your grades up and to work part time. If you stay at home for the next few years, you should be able to attend a community college and work to pay expenses and possibly get some fiancial aid. What were you thinking when you avoided doing this until the eve of leaving your parents home? It doesn't show much planning and perhaps your parents have reason not to underwrite this adventure.