Parents Refuse to Provide Information
Dear Betsy,
I am 20 years old and entering college for the first time this fall. I have been out of the house since I was 18, and I do not receive any kind of support or money from my parents. The financial aid office and the FAFSA people are telling me that I have to include my parents’ financial information from their tax return on my financial aid applications or I will not be eligible for any federal aid. My parents won’t give me the info because they can’t afford to pay for my tuition. What can I do?
Sincerely,
Paul
Dear Paul,
If you are under 24 years old and not a veteran, a ward of the court, an orphan, a graduate student, or have dependants of your own, then the school has no choice but to treat you as a dependant for financial aid purposes. This means that they cannot calculate your eligibility without your parents’ financial information, nor can the federal government.
Tell your parents that they will not be required to provide support to you or pay your tuition as a result of supplying their tax information. They may receive information about parent loans but they do not need to apply for them or take them out. Withholding this information will only prevent you from receiving your own student loans, which may prevent you from attending the school of your choice. The school can make exceptions to this rule, but the law is clear that there must be exceptional circumstances, such as abuse or the parent being incarcerated, to make said exception. In fact, the law specifically states that parents’ refusal to provide the information is not a reason to grant an exception. I wish you luck, Paul, and I hope your parents understand the true implications that not providing this information will cause.
Regards,
Betsy
