What if your parents refuse to help with the FAFSA?
Some students have circumstances that prevent them from accessing their parents' financial information or parents refuse to provide the information for one reason or another. In cases where parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA, there are options.
1. Talk to your parents.
If your parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA, it's important to find out their reasons first. Is your relationship strained and they are not willing to help you in any way? Or maybe they misunderstand how the FAFSA works and think they are co-signing a student loan?
Understanding their reasons will help you plan your next steps. If there is just a misunderstanding regarding your financial aid application, you should talk to them. Explain without judgment and with plain facts what the FAFSA is and how it actually helps you afford college tuition.
Some of the advantages and points you may want to mention include:
The filling is easy.
This could save you thousands of dollars.
They do not have to sign the loans.
Even if you are offered a financial aid package with loans, you don't necessarily have to take it
Failure to complete this could result in you graduating from college with high-interest debt.
If they are having trouble seeing your side, you may want to schedule a meeting with them and your guidance counselor or financial aid office. Professionals have seen it before and can help explain how the app works, even if your parents are a little stubborn.
2. Get a dependency override.
Students under the age of approximately 24 need their parents to complete a FAFSA with them because they are not considered legally emancipated from their parents at this age. However, some students may be in a strained relationship, already financially independent, or unable to convince their parents of the benefits of applying. If you are in one of those boats, you may qualify for a dependency bypass.
An affiliate bypass allows you to complete a FAFSA without them knowing. If you can qualify for one.
There is an enmity.
Parents or guardians are imprisoned.
Parents or guardians who are physically or mentally disabled.
Unfortunately, students may not qualify for a dependency exemption simply because their parents won't support them financially or they misspelled the FAFSA. Even if you are financially independent, you must have one of the qualifying factors listed above.
3. Visit your financial aid office.
Just because you don't qualify for dependency override doesn't mean you don't have options! Your next step is to speak to your college's financial aid office. They can help you apply for an unsubsidized direct loan that is not based on financial need.
To be eligible, you will need a form signed by your parent or guardian stating that they will not help you complete the FAFSA. If your parents refuse to do so, you will need a third party to verify the situation. It could be another relative or a teacher.
4. Explore your options.
The FAFSA is required to apply for some federal student loans, as well as to qualify for college scholarships and financial aid packages. Failure to complete it may make it difficult to tolerate college.
If your parents still refuse to help, you have other options available to you — other than applying for an unsubsidized direct loan. Must
Talk to your financial aid department or guidance counselor about other assistance options available to you.
Apply for scholarships that do not require you to prove financial need.
Find private student loans.
Find job opportunities near your school.
Apply for state grants.
Go to a community college because it is much more affordable than four-year schools.
If you can't afford college at this point in life, you may want to consider returning to your education when you turn 24 -- when you complete your FAFSA without the help of a parent or guardian.
In most cases, you will need a parent or guardian to help you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. While there are options available to you—such as applying for state scholarships and grants—students who don't complete the FAFSA miss out on financial aid packages and some federal student loans. It can make college unbearable. However, following the above steps can help you take advantage of these options—and even help convince your parents that the FAFSA is an easy-to-complete form that only needs to be filled out. It will benefit your future.