If Your Parent Refuses to Help With FAFSA and You Don’t Qualify for a Dependency Override, How Do You Pay for School?

Any help would be appreciated!

If your parent refuses to fill out the FAFSA, you can still get a federal unsubsidized loan. The FAFSA has a question asking if you have that situation. Providing the parent’s info on the FAFSA won’t make them liable for any costs. It’s just to determine what you’re eligible for. I know a lot of times parents don’t want to do it because they think it will put them on the hook for something.

@Kaitlyn
This is correct. I did this all four years in undergrad.

@Kaitlyn
The uneducated pushing against education. Ironic.

Scholarships and/or attending a cheaper school (e.g. do as much as you can at a community college) can help.

Private loans work similarly to federal loans, except they don’t have the protections that federal loans offer, like forgiveness programs, deferment, forbearance, and income-driven repayment plans.

@Vale
Thanks! Do all schools accept private loans? How would that work? Do I get accepted into my school and then apply for a loan? Would my financial aid office help me with this?

Valentine said:
@Vale
Thanks! Do all schools accept private loans? How would that work? Do I get accepted into my school and then apply for a loan? Would my financial aid office help me with this?

Schools accept money, regardless of how you obtain it. Costs should be easy to figure out on your own; I don’t think you need the financial aid office’s help for private loans.

@Vale
Thank you! I plan to attend college soon and I have no idea how anything works.

Valentine said:
@Vale
Thanks! Do all schools accept private loans? How would that work? Do I get accepted into my school and then apply for a loan? Would my financial aid office help me with this?

You need to apply and get accepted into multiple schools, then compare your financial options.

And, do everything you can to get your parent to fill out the FAFSA. Maybe sit with them and go through it together.

If you need private loans to attend, you probably can’t afford that school.

Consider community college. Also, talk to your math teacher about calculating the interest on student loans—it can add up fast.

I had to wait until I turned 24 to go to college because of this.

You could try getting a full-time job at a college or university. Many offer tuition reimbursement for employees. You’d earn money, get your core courses done for free, and when you turn 24, you can finish school full-time.

If neither parent agrees to complete the FAFSA, you may have to wait until you’re 24 to attend college. Here are the rules and exceptions: https://www.scholarships.com/blog/what-happens-if-my-parents-wont-complete-the-fafsa

Private student loans tend to have higher interest rates and usually require a co-signer.

I joined the Army, but I’m guessing that’s not what you want to hear.

Windsor said:
I joined the Army, but I’m guessing that’s not what you want to hear.

I’ve thought about it, but I can’t even do one push-up.

Valentine said:

Windsor said:
I joined the Army, but I’m guessing that’s not what you want to hear.

I’ve thought about it, but I can’t even do one push-up.

They have a pretty intense workout program, so they can help with that.

You should absolutely avoid private student loans.

They generally have much higher interest rates than federal loans and don’t offer flexible repayment or forgiveness options. They should only be a last resort.

If your parents are uncooperative, the FAFSA has an option to bypass their information:

https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info#special-circumstances

If you still have trouble, contact the Federal Student Aid Assistance Information Center: https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact.

I would start at a community college and plan to earn my associate’s degree by age 24. Then transfer into a four-year institution.

Gianna said:
I would start at a community college and plan to earn my associate’s degree by age 24. Then transfer into a four-year institution.

How would I pay for this?

Valentine said:

Gianna said:
I would start at a community college and plan to earn my associate’s degree by age 24. Then transfer into a four-year institution.

How would I pay for this?

By getting a job.

@Huxley
True, but what about other bills—car insurance, health insurance, rent, etc.?