Can I qualify for FAFSA as independent at 20 with unsupportive parents?

There is a way forward, but it's not simple. You can request a dependency override based on what FAFSA calls "unusual circumstances." Parental refusal to provide information isn't automatically considered grounds for override, BUT since you've been supporting yourself completely, you might have a case. Contact the financial aid office at the school you want to attend and ask about their dependency override process. You'll need to document your situation with: - Proof of self-support (lease, bills, tax returns) - Letters from professionals who know your situation (teachers, counselors, etc.) - A detailed personal statement explaining the circumstances Each school handles these differently, so you need to work directly with your chosen college. It's absolutely worth trying!

im in teh EXACT same boat!! parents wont help with fasfa but i NEED aid. its so stupid that they say ur dependent until 24 unless u have a baby or get married lol. like should i just go get pregnant to get financial aid??? ridiculous system

My brother faced the same situation and eventually qualified for a dependency override. It took A LOT of documentation and a pretty intense interview with the financial aid office. They wanted things like police reports, court documents, or letters from social workers to prove the family breakdown was severe. Be prepared for some schools to flat out deny you though. The federal rules are VERY strict. My brother applied to 3 schools - 2 rejected his override request but 1 approved it. So definitely apply to multiple places if possible.

Have you considered waiting until you're 24? I know that sounds terrible, but I wasted YEARS fighting this battle. Community college is somewhat affordable without aid, so maybe take a few classes there while working until you hit the magic age? It's what I ended up doing and while it took longer, I eventually finished my degree.

I work in a college financial aid office. Let me clear up some common misconceptions: 1. Parent REFUSAL to complete FAFSA is not the same as parent INABILITY to complete it. Refusal alone rarely qualifies for override. 2. Living on your own and supporting yourself doesn't automatically make you independent for FAFSA purposes. 3. Documentation is EVERYTHING. Letters from professionals (not family/friends) who understand your situation are crucial. 4. Consider special circumstance adjustments if you do get your parents to complete FAFSA but their income doesn't reflect your situation. I'd strongly recommend scheduling appointments with financial aid officers at schools you're interested in BEFORE you apply to discuss your options.

OMG dealing with the FSA people on the phone is IMPOSSIBLE! I tried calling about a similar situation and was on hold for 3+ hours before getting disconnected!!!

Before you go down the dependency override route (which is incredibly difficult to get approved), check if you qualify for any of these automatic independent student criteria: - Were you in foster care at any point after turning 13? - Are you an emancipated minor by court decision? - Do you have a court-appointed legal guardian? - Were you ever verified as homeless by your high school liaison, shelter director, or HUD? Any of these would automatically qualify you as independent without needing the marriage/children/military/age requirements.

I'm in a really similar situation and wanted to share what I've learned from talking to multiple financial aid offices. Some schools are definitely more flexible than others with dependency overrides. I applied to 5 different colleges and got 3 different responses - one flat denial, one that wanted extensive documentation I didn't have, and one that worked with me on alternative evidence. The school that approved mine accepted things like: - My lease agreements and utility bills showing I'd been paying my own way - W-2s and pay stubs proving financial independence - A letter from my former high school guidance counselor explaining my situation - Bank statements showing I wasn't receiving financial support from parents It wasn't easy and took about 3 months to get approved, but it IS possible. Don't give up after one school says no - keep trying different ones. Also, smaller state schools seemed more willing to work with me than large universities. Hope this helps!

I went through this exact situation 3 years ago and want to offer some encouragement - it IS possible but you need to be strategic about it. Here's what worked for me: 1. Applied to 6 different schools specifically because I knew dependency overrides varied by institution 2. Focused on regional state universities and smaller private colleges - they tend to have more flexibility than large flagship schools 3. Built a comprehensive documentation package including tax returns showing zero parental support, rental agreements, employment records, and letters from my high school counselor and employer 4. Was completely honest in my personal statement about the situation without being overly emotional I got approved at 2 out of 6 schools. The key was treating it like a business case - showing clear evidence of complete financial independence rather than focusing on the emotional aspects of unsupportive parents. Also, start this process EARLY. Some schools want all override documentation submitted by February for the following fall semester. Don't let the difficulty discourage you - I'm now a senior graduating debt-free because I pushed through this bureaucratic nightmare. You can do this!