Financial Independence from parents

[milisia]

What is the name of your state? OH

I am a student from Dayton, OH and I am having a problem. My father refused to fill out his tax information until late July and when he gave it to me, he said, "Oh, by the way, it's wrong. Just fill out the financial aid information and then later correct it." I had tried to get his tax information ever since March and he waited until July 29th to give it to me and then tells me it's wrong! I told him time and time again that they check the accuracy of the records and I will be fined or put in jail for forgery. Financial aid will consider me independent when I'm 24. I will be 21 in September and I live completely on my own. I cannot depend on him financially (or informationally) for anything. Is there any way that I can be considered legally financially independent so I don't have to miss school because of his refusal to do his taxes (not to mention correctly)? I appreciate any information that would be of use. Thank you.

 

[moburkes]

Here are your choices:
1. Go to a less expensive school.
2. Work to help pay for school.
3. Qualify for scholarships.
4. Get loans to pay for school.

Based solely on the information that you provided, you will not qualify as an independent student.

 

[milisia]

1. This school is one of the cheapest and the best in the country.
2. I'm already working.
3. Can't qualify for scholarships if I can't apply.
4. Same as three.

There is no legal action I can take to get independence or to at least get compensation?

 

[moburkes]

Why can't you apply for scholarships? What compensation are you talking about?

 

[stealth2]

And I'd love to know of a school that's both close to the best AND cheap!

 

[moburkes]

And I'd love to know of a school that's both close to the best AND cheap!

OP, you don't HAVE to miss school. You may need to take only 1 or 2 classes at a time while you work 1 or 2 jobs. Plenty of people have done, currently do it, and will do it in the future.


I didn't qualify for financial aid because my parents were rich. They didn't help pay for school. I worked 3 part-time jobs and went to school.

 

[milisia]

Well, if I can't provide accurate information about my father's taxes, then how can I apply for financial aid or scholarships? I keep trying to tell FAFSA that I can't provide my father's taxes because of his refusal to turn them in and they tell me that there is nothing I can do!

The school I was refering to was Sinclair Community College. It was ranked as one of the best community colleges in the nation (3rd or fifth, I think) and the average yearly tuition is between $1,000-$3,000 ($42.45 per credit hour). It has high quality classes.

 

[milisia]

OP, you don't HAVE to miss school. You may need to take only 1 or 2 classes at a time while you work 1 or 2 jobs. Plenty of people have done, currently do it, and will do it in the future.

Currently, I don't have that luxury. I have other institutions that can only help me when I get financial aid. This institution will not only help me pay for some college, but they will give me a great reference for getting a really nice job in my field of study. If I could just take my time, I would...