FAFSA dependency override for 20-year-old with unsupportive parents - urgent help needed

This is unfortunately a common issue with FAFSA. For dependency override consideration, your grandson needs to document that he has an unusual circumstance beyond simply parents refusing to provide information or support. Things that typically qualify include: - Documented abuse (police reports, court documents) - Abandonment (no contact for extended periods) - Incarceration of both parents - Parents' whereabouts unknown Simply having parents who won't complete the FAFSA isn't enough for an override. Has he spoken with his school's financial aid office? They have the authority to process dependency overrides on a case-by-case basis.

omg i was literally in this EXACT situation last yr!!! my dad refused to give info and mom hasnt been in the picture since i was 12. its so frustrating how fafsa just expects everyone to have perfect families who are willing to share all their tax stuff 🙄

Your grandson should immediately schedule an appointment with his school's financial aid office to discuss a professional judgment review or dependency override. Here's exactly what he should bring: 1. Documentation of his living situation with you 2. Any evidence of his parents' refusal to participate (texts, emails) 3. Evidence of no financial support from parents (bank statements showing no deposits) 4. Letters from third parties who know the situation (teachers, counselors, etc.) 5. His own written statement explaining the situation Each school handles these cases differently, but documentation is key. Also, he should ask about the school's emergency aid programs while this gets sorted out.

Has anyone had success calling FSA directly to explain these situations? I've heard sometimes they can flag accounts for special review.

The whole system is BROKEN! My nephew went through this exact situation and ended up having to take out PRIVATE LOANS at RIDICULOUS interest rates because FAFSA wouldn't recognize that his parents completely abandoned him financially!!! And the school said their "emergency aid" was already all used up by the time he applied. These kids are being PUNISHED for having awful parents!!!!!

One additional option your grandson might consider - there are specific situations that automatically make a student independent without needing a subjective override: - Marriage (getting married would immediately classify him as independent) - Having dependents he provides more than 50% support for - Military service - Being 24 or older - Being an emancipated minor or in legal guardianship (though this would have needed to happen before he turned 18) Some students in similar situations choose to get married (sometimes to a friend) specifically to escape the parental information requirement. I'm not necessarily recommending this approach, but it is technically a path to independent status.

when I had this issue my freshmen year my advsior suggested i take a year off and work full time becuase then I'd be able to claim myself as indepenent on taxes for 2 years and qualify for more aid when I came back

After reviewing the specific circumstances you mentioned (addiction issues with one parent, abandonment by the other, living with grandparents since 16), your grandson has a reasonable case for a dependency override. The key is approaching the financial aid office correctly: 1. Be professional and factual when explaining the situation 2. Focus on the permanent breakdown of the parent-child relationship 3. Provide third-party documentation of the situation 4. Complete any forms they require fully and accurately 5. Follow up regularly but respectfully One thing to note: If approved, he'll need to request a dependency override each year he applies for aid. The determination doesn't carry over automatically.

also tell him to apply for as many scholarships as possible!!! i found some weird ones that hardly anyone applies for - like one for students who like gardening and another for people who write essays about climate change. every little bit helps when fafsa is being difficult

I went through a similar dependency override situation a few years ago and want to share some practical tips that helped me get approved. Beyond the documentation everyone mentioned, here are some things that made a difference: 1. Get a letter from a school counselor, teacher, or coach who knows your grandson's situation - they carry more weight than family friends 2. Keep detailed records of any attempts to contact his parents (save voicemails, screenshots of unanswered texts) 3. If possible, get documentation from any social services or counseling agencies that have been involved 4. Write a clear timeline of events showing when parental support ended Also, make sure he applies for the dependency override BEFORE the financial aid deadline if possible. Some schools will give provisional aid pending the decision, but others won't process anything until it's resolved. Time is really critical here - I'd recommend calling the financial aid office tomorrow morning to get the process started immediately.