FAFSA professional gave wrong dependency override info - getting desperate

Let me clarify some things. The financial aid professional wasn't entirely wrong, but wasn't giving you the full picture either. Dependency overrides ARE possible without documented abuse, but they're extremely rare and granted on a case-by-case basis by each school. Unfortunately, federal guidelines ARE strict. Self-support and parents refusing to provide info are not automatically qualifying reasons for an override. However, here's what CAN work: 1. Documented abandonment (different from abuse) 2. Incarceration of both parents 3. Parents' whereabouts unknown 4. Severe estrangement with documented evidence You'll need to submit a formal dependency override request with documentation like: - Letters from professionals (therapists, clergy, etc.) familiar with your situation - Court or police records (if applicable) - Evidence of your self-sufficiency (tax returns, lease, bills in your name) - Third-party statements confirming no parental contact/support Each school's financial aid office has its own review process. Apply at multiple schools as some are more lenient than others.

hey this happened to my roomate last yr. she got a dependency overide by having 3 letters. 1 from her therapist, 1 from her uncl, and 1 from her former teacher. she didnt have abuse either just estranged from parents who make $$$ but dont help her. its VERY IMPORTANT who revews ur case at the school!! she got denied first then asked to speak to the director of financial aid not just random counselor. made all the difference.

I went through this nightmare last year. The financial aid system is completely broken for students in your situation. After getting rejected twice, I finally found a way to get through to someone at Federal Student Aid who could actually help explain the nuances. If you keep hitting walls with your school's financial aid office, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com) to reach Federal Student Aid directly. It got me through to an actual person in under 10 minutes after weeks of failed attempts. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The agent I spoke with gave me specific language to use in my override request that made all the difference. Don't give up - persistence is key with these bureaucratic nightmares.

I don't want to give false hope, but I do work in a financial aid office (not as a counselor though). The actual guidance we receive internally is more nuanced than what's typically told to students. "Documented abuse" is NOT the only qualifier! Parental abandonment, which sounds closer to your situation, can qualify. The key is demonstrating the complete severing of parental relationships - both financial AND emotional/familial support. Tip: Don't just submit a form. Schedule an in-person meeting with a senior financial aid officer (not front desk). Bring ALL documentation of your self-sufficiency. Be calm, factual, and persistent. Different officers may interpret cases differently - if you get a no, politely ask to speak with someone else or the director. Good luck!

Just to add some technical clarity here: Under Federal regulation 34 CFR 668.22(c)(3), dependency overrides CAN be granted for situations including but not limited to abandonment, abuse, neglect, family alcoholism or drug abuse, or when students are unable to locate their parents. A properly documented case of parents completely severing financial support and contact when you were a minor (at 17) COULD potentially qualify as "abandonment" at some institutions. However, it's important to understand that: 1. Parents "refusing" to provide information is different from actual abandonment 2. You must demonstrate total severance of family ties, not just financial support 3. The override decision rests entirely with each school's financial aid administrator 4. You'll need to request an override at each school separately I'd recommend gathering: tax returns showing independent status for 3 years, proof of housing in your name since 17, detailed letters from professionals/family documenting the severance of relationship, and any communication showing parents' refusal to engage.

u might qualify for the CCAMPIS program if ur school has it - its for independent students and helps with chadlcare costs during school. also look into emergency aid funds at ur school they sometimes have grants for situations like urs.

FAFSA is a complete joke for students with unsupportive middle/upper-income parents. I dropped out last year because of this exact situation. My parents make $120k combined but haven't given me a DIME since I was 18. Couldn't get loans, couldn't get aid, couldn't afford tuition on my own. The system ASSUMES parents support their kids financially which is just NOT REALITY for so many of us. One option nobody mentioned - if you're willing to wait, you automatically become independent for FAFSA at age 24. I know several people who worked for a few years and went back to school at 24+ just to avoid this nightmare.