Question: Okay , So I am wanting to attend college in the spring. I am broke and cannot pay for it on my own. I have been on my own since I was sixteen and I just turned twenty this year. I was hopping to use FAFSA to get through college. But my mother will not give me the information to fill it out. Why? I really don't know. I have tried to talk to her. My councilor from college has tired to talk to her. Even the financial aid tried to talk to her. She wont budge. So what do i do? What are my options?
Answer: Contact the Department of Education and explain it to them and they should be able to help. Good luck.
Others:
You've been "on your own" since age 16; does that mean you were an emancipated minor? Maybe you don't have to supply parental information if that's the case.
Maybe your mom never attended college and doesn't know what a FAFSA is all about. Explain to her that you are not trying to pry into her finances and that the information she gives to you will remain safe and private.
If that does not work, maybe you could call the FAFSA people (I'm sure their number is online) and explain your situation. Ask what you can do.
Best of luck in school!
This might sound dumb but since you said you've been on your own since you were 16 I'm just wondering if your parents are even still claiming you on their taxes?
If you're supporting yourself then just claim yourself as an independent student and use your own tax info...you shouldn't even need to bother with your parent's info if they're not supporting you anymore.
I honestly have no idea what you can do in this case. I would suggest calling FAFSA and see what they say. If you have been emancipated, you may not need to use her information.
Without your parents info on your fafsa you are pretty much out of luck for federal grants (free money) and loans. The best you can do is find out WHY she doesn't want to provide the info... then maybe your schools financial aid officer will be able to come up with a good dispute for her fears... for example.. if she fears she or her husband will be "found" for some reason by providing your SSN to FAFSA ease her fears this information is not shared to hunt people down for back taxes, child support, .... etc.
I usually get the best results by telling the parents that by providing their Information for their kids, they are not obligated to pay for your education in any way shape or form. On the contrary, they are allowing you to pay for your education on your own without there help.
I also point out that they are not allowing you to apply for FREE money for school.
Your other alternative is to attend school part time and "Pay As You Go" until the time you are independent and don't need her info anymore. Become 24, get married, become a veteran... or get a scholarship to pay for your tuition.