Can't get parent info for FAFSA - understanding 'self-supporting' for under 24?

This is one of the most common FAFSA issues students face. Unfortunately, the federal definition of 'independent' for financial aid purposes is very specific and doesn't necessarily align with real-world independence. To be considered independent on FAFSA when you're under 24, you need to meet at least ONE of these criteria: - Be married - Have dependent children you support - Be a veteran/active military - Be an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship - Be homeless/at risk of homelessness - Be an orphan/ward of court/in foster care after age 13 Just living on your own and supporting yourself financially doesn't qualify you as independent for FAFSA purposes. However, you may be able to pursue a 'dependency override' by documenting your special circumstances.

omg same boat here! i tried everything to get independent status. ended up having to delay school for a year until i turned 24. the system is super messed up...they expect parents to pay even when they won't or can't

You need to request a "Dependency Override" from your school's financial aid office. Each school handles these differently, but you'll typically need to: 1. Contact the financial aid office directly 2. Explain your situation (no contact with parents) 3. Provide documentation like: - Letters from professionals (counselors, teachers, clergy) confirming your situation - Court documents if applicable - Proof you support yourself (lease, bills, tax returns) Be aware that simply not speaking to your parents or them refusing to provide info isn't automatically grounds for an override. You'll need to demonstrate why it's impossible (not just inconvenient) to get their information.

lol the FAFSA system is so backwards. been there done that. they won't budge unless you have crazy documentation. my friend literally forged her parents signatures because they wouldn't help but refused to admit they wouldn't help...not saying you should do that tho!

I went through this exact nightmare last year. Called FAFSA like 20 TIMES trying to get help, kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. Finally I used Claimyr (claimyr.com) to get through to an actual FAFSA agent without the wait. They connected me in like 10 minutes when I'd been trying for days on my own. The agent explained exactly what documentation my school needed for the dependency override. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ In my case, I needed statements from 3 professionals (used my therapist, former high school counselor, and my boss) explaining my situation with my parents. It worked!

For my situation, I didn't have to prove abuse specifically. I had to demonstrate that the estrangement was severe and long-term. My therapist's letter explained the nature of our relationship breakdown and why reconciliation wasn't possible. The key was showing it wasn't just a temporary disagreement but a permanent situation that made getting their information impossible. Each school has different standards though.

Why dont u just wait till ur 24? Thats what my cousin did. Not worth the hassle of trying to prove all that dependency stuff. Just take a gap year or 2.

Financial aid professional here. A few important points about dependency overrides: 1. They are granted on a school-by-school basis, not by FAFSA itself 2. The Department of Education specifically states that parent unwillingness to provide information or support is NOT sufficient grounds 3. Documentation is crucial - start collecting evidence now 4. Focus on documenting an "irreconcilable breakdown" in the relationship 5. About 2% of dependency override requests are approved nationally I recommend applying to multiple schools and immediately contacting each financial aid office. Some schools have more flexible policies than others. Also look into alternative funding sources like private scholarships that don't require FAFSA.

When documenting an "irreconcilable breakdown," financial aid offices typically look for: 1. Third-party verification (not just your statement) 2. Evidence of complete separation - no financial support, no contact, no living together 3. Documentation that shows the severity and permanence of the situation 4. Proof that reconciliation attempts have failed or are impossible Effective documentation often includes: - Detailed letters from mental health professionals who've treated you - Police reports if applicable - Court documents if applicable - Letters from community leaders who know your situation firsthand Avoid focusing on financial disagreements or your parents' unwillingness to pay. Instead, focus on why contact is impossible or dangerous.

One more thing to consider - check if your school offers any institutional aid that doesn't require FAFSA. Some schools have emergency funds or special scholarships for students in situations like yours. Also look into CSS Profile schools, as some have more flexibility with their institutional funds even if federal aid still requires parent info.

I'm in a similar situation and just wanted to add - don't give up hope! While the dependency override process is tough, it's not impossible. I'd also suggest reaching out to your state's financial aid agency as they sometimes have additional resources or programs for students in difficult family situations. One thing that helped me was creating a detailed timeline of events showing the progression of the family breakdown. This helped demonstrate that it wasn't just a recent argument but a long-term deterioration. Also, if you have any documentation of previous attempts to contact your parents (like screenshots of unanswered texts or emails), keep those as evidence. The process is frustrating and feels unfair, but there are people who want to help you succeed. Start with your school's financial aid office - they deal with these situations more than you might think. Good luck!

I went through this exact same situation two years ago and it was absolutely maddening! The system really doesn't account for students who are genuinely estranged from their parents but don't fit the narrow federal criteria. Here's what worked for me: I documented EVERYTHING - every unanswered call, text, email attempt. I also got letters from my therapist, my old high school guidance counselor, and even my landlord who could verify I'd been living independently. The key was showing a pattern of long-term estrangement, not just recent conflict. My school's financial aid office was actually more helpful than I expected once I got past the initial "you need parent info" response. They walked me through the dependency override process step by step. It took about 6 weeks to process, but they approved it. One tip: when you contact your school's financial aid office, ask specifically to speak with someone about "unusual circumstances" or "dependency override requests." The front desk staff might not know the process, but there are specialists who handle these cases regularly. Also, apply to multiple schools if you can - each one evaluates these requests independently, so approval at one doesn't guarantee approval elsewhere, but it does mean you have options. Don't let this bureaucratic nightmare derail your education plans!