FAFSA parent refusing to verify 2023 tax info - will they reject my whole application?

i had something similar happen with my stepdad. he wouldnt sign ANYTHING for fafsa. i called the financial aid office at my school and they told me to request a 'dependency override' which let me file as independent. you might qualify if you can prove you live with your mom most of the time. worth asking about!

This happens ALL THE TIME. Your dad needs to understand he's potentially costing you thousands in aid. The verification is required and they won't process your app without it. If he claimed you as dependent, you definitely need his info. Maybe show him exactly what they're asking for? Sometimes parents think it's worse than it is.

Before you go the dependency override route (which is difficult to get approved), try these steps: 1. Schedule a meeting with your school's financial aid office - explain your situation 2. Ask if a "Professional Judgment" review might be possible given your circumstances 3. See if your mom can help convince your father by explaining the verification process is standard (about 30% of FAFSA applications get selected randomly) 4. If your dad filed electronically, remind him that he can simply use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool which transfers info directly without him having to provide additional documents If none of that works, then yes, investigate the dependency override, but know that simply having an uncooperative parent usually doesn't qualify unless there are other circumstances (abuse, abandonment, etc).

UGH the whole verification process is such garbage!!! I got selected last year and it took FOREVER to sort out. Ended up missing priority deadlines because of it. The system is designed to make people give up. Don't let your dad's paranoia cost you aid money!! Show him this thread if you have to. EVERYONE has to do verification if selected - it's not personal against him.

have u tried talking to ur school counselor? mine helped me when my parents were being difficult about fafsa stuff. they might be able to call ur dad and explain why its important

If you're having trouble reaching anyone at Federal Student Aid to discuss your verification options, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) incredibly helpful. They got me connected to an actual FSA agent in under 15 minutes after I'd spent days trying on my own. The agent walked me through my verification options when I had a similar parent documentation issue. They have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

Listen, I've worked in financial aid for 7 years. Here's the reality: Without verification, your application will eventually be rejected. The $8,720 SAI is meaningless until verification is complete. Since your dad claimed you as a dependent on taxes, you absolutely need his information - no way around that unless you qualify for a dependency override, which requires documentation of extreme circumstances (abuse, abandonment, incarceration, etc). Your best option is to have your dad speak directly with a financial aid counselor who can address his privacy concerns. The verification process is extremely secure and protected by federal privacy laws. The information is ONLY used for determining aid eligibility, nothing else.

What state are you in? Some states have special programs for students with uncooperative parents. My roommate got a special grant through our state aid commission when her dad refused to provide info for FAFSA.

I went through something similar last year! My dad was super paranoid about "government overreach" and refused to cooperate with verification at first. What finally worked was having my mom show him the official FSA website explaining that verification is completely normal and required by law - not some special targeting. She also pointed out that he'd already given the IRS all this same information when he filed taxes, so the school was just confirming what the government already had. Maybe try approaching it from the angle that this is standard procedure that happens to thousands of students, not some conspiracy against your family? Also, emphasize that without this, you'll lose ALL financial aid - not just some of it. Sometimes parents don't realize how much money is actually at stake. Good luck!