Alternatives to Parent PLUS loans when parents have high income but won't help with college?

Unfortunately, the Parent PLUS loan issue is one of the most difficult situations in the financial aid system. There are a few options, but none are easy: 1. Dependency Override - You can request that your school's financial aid office evaluate you for a "dependency override" which would allow you to be considered independent. However, this is only granted in extreme circumstances like documented abuse, abandonment, or incarceration of parents. Family disagreements, even serious ones, typically don't qualify. 2. Professional Judgment Review - Ask your financial aid office for a "professional judgment" review based on your specific circumstances. They might be able to adjust your SAI (Student Aid Index, formerly EFC) if there's been a major change in financial circumstances. 3. Private Student Loans - These usually require a cosigner with good credit, which might be difficult in your situation. 4. Scholarships - Intensify your search for scholarships, especially those specifically for students in difficult family situations. 5. Income Share Agreements - Some schools offer these as alternatives to traditional loans. What specifically led to the breakdown with your parents? This might help identify which option is most viable.

This is why the whole system is BROKEN!!! The government assumes parents will help their kids but many DON'T. My daughter went through the same thing - we made too much on paper but had other financial obligations so couldn't help her much. The system is rigged against students from middle-income families who don't have parental support. Its ridiculous that you can't get financial aid because of THIER income. You should call your congressperson and complain about this, seriously.

have u talked to ur school financial aid office yet? they sometimes have emergency funds for situations like this. also maybe look into taking a semester off to work full time and save up? thats what i had to do when my dad refused to help me anymore

I was in almost the exact same situation last year. After trying everything else, I finally managed to get through to someone at Federal Student Aid who helped me understand my options. I was getting nowhere with the standard number, always on hold forever or getting disconnected. Then I found a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that helped me actually get through to a live agent quickly. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ Once I got through, the FSA agent explained that I could submit a special circumstances form with my school's financial aid office and potentially qualify for additional unsubsidized loans. It didn't solve everything, but it gave me enough to bridge the gap for my final year. Worth trying!

Don't mean to hijack your thread but this brings up something I've been wondering about... If a parent takes out a PLUS loan but the student agreed to pay it back (like in your case), what happens legally if the student doesn't pay? Does it only affect the parent's credit? Or can they somehow force the student to pay? Just curious because I'm in kind of a similar situation with my mom.

One option not mentioned yet is seeking a Direct PLUS Loan endorser. If your parents are denied for the PLUS loan due to adverse credit history (not just unwillingness), you can find another relative or friend to be an endorser. Think of it like a co-signer. This doesn't solve the relationship issue, but it's a potential workaround if your parents would be willing to apply and get denied. Alternatively, look into your school's institutional aid programs. Many colleges have their own grants and loans that aren't tied to federal methodology. Some schools offer gap funding specifically for students in your situation. For your final year, also consider consortium agreements with less expensive institutions. You might be able to take some classes at a community college at lower cost while still earning your degree from your current school.

omg this parent plus loan thing is such a nightmare! my parents make decent money on paper but have so much debt they cant help me at all. have u tried looking into whether ur school has any work-study positions available? sometimes they don't advertise them well but they can help a bit with expenses

Based on all the comments, it seems like your best immediate options are: 1. Schedule a meeting with your financial aid office specifically to discuss a Professional Judgment review. Bring documentation of your situation - any communication showing your parents' refusal to help, your own income information, and any special circumstances. Be clear and specific about the change in family support. 2. Research your school's emergency aid funds or retention grants. Many schools have created these specifically for students close to graduation who face sudden financial barriers. 3. Apply for private scholarships specifically targeting students in their final year. The scholarship amounts may be smaller, but several small awards can add up. 4. Consider reducing your course load to minimum full-time status (usually 12 credits) and increasing work hours if possible without jeopardizing your academic standing. Your situation highlights one of the most significant gaps in the federal financial aid system - the assumption of parental contribution regardless of willingness. Unfortunately, without a policy change, these workarounds are the best options available.

also look at ur schools foundation scholarships!! many schools have special funds just for continuing students that aren't widely advertised. my roommate got $3500 from one of these when she was in almost the same situation

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this - it's incredibly stressful to be so close to finishing your degree and face these kinds of barriers. I went through something similar a few years ago and want to add a couple things that helped me: 1. When you meet with financial aid, also ask specifically about "appeal" processes for dependency status. Some schools have slightly different criteria than the federal government and may be more flexible. 2. Look into your state's higher education agency - many states have emergency grant programs that aren't well-publicized. In my state, they had a "completion grant" specifically for students in their final year facing unexpected financial hardship. 3. Consider reaching out to local community foundations or organizations related to your field of study (education). Teachers' unions, education foundations, and local civic groups sometimes offer small scholarships or emergency assistance. 4. If you have a good relationship with any professors in your department, don't be afraid to ask if they know of any departmental funds or opportunities. Faculty sometimes have access to small pots of money for students in crisis situations. The fact that you're working part-time while in school full-time shows incredible dedication. Don't give up - there are people and programs designed to help students like you finish their degrees. You've got this!

I'm dealing with a very similar situation right now and wanted to share what I've learned through this process. My parents make around $110k but refuse to help after I switched from pre-med to social work. Here's what's actually worked for me: 1. **Document everything** - I kept screenshots of all communications with my parents about their refusal to help. This was crucial when I met with financial aid. 2. **School-specific aid is key** - My university had a "Student Crisis Fund" that wasn't listed anywhere obvious. I only found out about it when I specifically asked the financial aid counselor "What emergency funds does this school have for students whose parents won't help?" They gave me $2,800 for the semester. 3. **State grant programs** - Check your state's higher education website. Mine had a "Last Dollar Grant" for students within 30 credits of graduation. It covered the gap between federal aid and actual costs up to $4,000 per year. 4. **Professional organizations** - Since you're in education, look up your state's education association and local teacher unions. Many have scholarships specifically for future teachers that consider financial hardship, not just academics. The system is definitely broken, but there ARE resources out there - they're just not well-advertised. Don't give up! You're so close to finishing.

I'm new to this community but wanted to share some resources that might help since I work in financial aid counseling. Your situation is unfortunately very common, and while the system has gaps, there are some lesser-known options: **Federal Options:** - Ask about "Unusual Enrollment History" appeals if you've had to take time off before due to financial issues - Request a "Cost of Attendance" adjustment if you have documented expenses beyond standard calculations **Institutional Resources to Ask About:** - Dean's Emergency Fund (most schools have these but call them different names) - Textbook voucher programs - Food pantry/basic needs assistance to free up money for tuition - Graduate assistantship opportunities (some schools offer these to undergrads in their final year) **External Resources:** - Check if your county has a "Community Foundation" - they often have small emergency grants for local students - Look into your state's 211 system (dial 2-1-1) - they maintain databases of local assistance programs - Research "completion scholarships" through sites like Scholarship America's Dreamkeepers program One thing that's helped my students: approach this systematically by making a spreadsheet of every possible funding source and application deadline. Sometimes it takes combining 5-6 small sources rather than finding one big solution. You're so close to finishing - don't let the system's flaws derail your education now!