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I am up everyone's favorite creek without a paddle and I was wondering if anyone here can help me with emancipation/independence in FL. I am TOTALLY willing to take out loans (even without emancipation), however, my stepfather is reluctant to fill out his portion of the FAFSA form! This has left my options for loans at about nothing, unless of course I have a full-time job for two years or a house (which of course, EVERY full-time college student has).

I have tried to go by the Financial Aid office here at Florida State and I have gotten no love from them. The lady offers NO other options, she just tells me that I am basically screwed. The only light at the end of the tunnel is emancipation.

My mom (and stepfather) have not claimed me on their taxes for at least 2 YEARS. I have been living away from them (in other states even) for almost 3 years. They really pay for nothing for me. My school money has come from my deceased father's estate and that money is gone by Fall, so I am worried that when that time comes around, I am done for. So, I would think that due to this and the fact that I have not been claimed by them (nor even in the SAME STATE) as them that I would be able to claim myself independent. Guess not, according to the ever so helpful lady at the FSU FinAid office. I am becoming more and more frustrated. I find it hard to believe that EVERYONE else here at FSU (and other schools for that matter) gets along wonderfully with their parents and that they are willing to fill out all the financial aid info. Even if my stepfather did, I don't think I would be eligible, but that isn't the point. It seems like ALL of these loans (or at least the ones that have descent rates) require a FAFSA. WHY?!?!?!?!?!?

A few of my friends have mentioned emancipation, but I was curious how I go about this and where I even start. If anyone has any idea how to do this, or any other ideas for that matter, I would GREATLY APPRECIATE any input. Thank you all for your time.

By Seminoleb (Seminoleb) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 05:34 pm: Edit

Anyone?

By Mlaseman (Mlaseman) on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 10:01 pm: Edit

Hello Semi-

I am in a similar situation as you. I have not lived with my parents in 5 years, I pay all my own bills and rent, yet they still want me to use my parents info. Unfortunately, my parents REFUSE under any circumstances to put their info on my FAFSA. I am also looking into the emancipation issue as a way out. I am currently contacting every free legal advice service in California (my state) to see if they can help me locate the court form that my school says I need to have. I haven't gotten any positive answers from them yet, but at least it's a start. You might try the same in florida. You just need to put "free legal advice" & florida in your google search field and it shoudl bring up some services.

Also, as far as the credit based loans... I have been forced to take some loans out in order to pay for some community coilege classes, and they aren't extremely difficult to get approved for. The best place to look is at you home bank (the one you have a checking or savings account at) and ask them about student loans. The interest rates on most private student loans are only about 1% more than the current federal rate. I know that you don't work full time, but it's worth a shot. The loans I received also have a deferred payment option so I don't have to pay while I am in school.

I hope this helps, and I'll keep you posted.
Good luck!
Michelle

By Seminoleb (Seminoleb) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:10 am: Edit

Michelle,
Thanks for the advice. I found out that my school, FSU, offers free legal advice. You might want to check and see if your CC has such a program. Also, how old are you if you don't mind me asking? You said you hadn't lived with your parents in 5 years and, if that was from when you turned 18, you should be almost eligible (24 is the age) to fill it out by yourself.
I also am going to try to look into my bank, but since I don't have any job right now (I am going to London for study abroad on my last saved bucks so I can't get anyone to hire me for just 1 month) I don't think I'll get a loan. My mother has offered to co-sign for a loan, so if I could get one with a good interest rate (less than the 7% I have found so far), I will try to go that route.
I am not looking to become emancipated so I can get scholarships or grants, just to be able to have access to a low-interest, deferred payment loan. This sucks.

If you have any more information or any questions, e-mail me at bag02d@garnet.acns.fsu.edu or on AIM at BristoG50. Thanks, and good luck on becoming emancipated!

Sincerely,
Brian

By Mlaseman (Mlaseman) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 01:04 am: Edit

Thanks for the advice Brian! It looks like your luck has turned! That's a definite bonus that your mom has offered to co-sign a loan- that will help you to get a lower interest rate for sure. You asked about my age- I actually am just turning 23 later this year- so I have 1 more year of this stuff to put up with.

As far as the emancipation issue, I recieved a call-back from an attorney this afternoon, and he advised me that even if I sign the court's emanciaption forms I still will not be considered an independant student by the federal government, only by my school. That sucks. But I learned something today- and I hope my experience helps another student or two.

I hope you have fun in London- I will be there this summer too for a few weeks. Best of luck to you at FSU!

Feel free to e-mail me through the website!
Michelle

By Seminoleb (Seminoleb) on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:28 am: Edit

Michelle,
You are having problems with the federal side of FAFSA? Have you gone to them or their website and talked to them? When I spoke with them, they seemed to be the easier ones to deal with.

My problem with FAFSA and being considered on my own is due to my stepfather's reluctance to fill out his information. He and my mother filed married but separate on their taxes, and the fed FAFSA folks seemed to think it would be ok if I just put my mother's info (she has been trying to help somewhat, but I don't think she is willing to take out a loan). The problem was, FSU was being a stickler for having both of their information, and the bottom line is up to the school. So if you haven't, see what they say. They may be a little more helpful.

Are you going to London for a study program, or just to travel? I have never been out of the country (why I have no problem to spend my last bit of money) so it should be very interesting.

By Mlaseman (Mlaseman) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 02:33 pm: Edit

Brian-

I actually have only talked to the FAFSA folks once- and they just sent me a copy of the dependent/ independent guidelines. I would be willing to try them again though. Did you get their number from the fafsa website?

I am actually attending the University of Phoenix right now (I just started a few months ago) and because of the way the school is designed (...for the working adult) they don't offer any financial aid of their own. All loans and grants have to be secured either through the government or a private financial institution. Because of this- I have to sort this out with the fafsa folks, or continue to take out private loans to finance college.

As for london- I'm going on vacation to visit a good friend, and I've never been out of the country either (even to mexico). It should be very interesting.

By Seminoleb (Seminoleb) on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 06:19 pm: Edit

Michelle,
I went on the website and they have an AIM-like online support thing where you can talk to one of the FAFSA people. If you don't wanna do that, I am sure you can find a phone number on the website to contact them.
Since grants and aid are not run through your school, you may luck out, because the school is the stickler in my case. Either way, good luck and let me know what the fafsa folks say.

Brian

By Candi (Candi) on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 09:20 pm: Edit

ok so my situation isn't quite the same. my parents are really pressuring me to get out of the house, but they can't (legally) kick me out b/c i'm a minor. so they want me to go through all this bull with emancipation. but i can't seem to find any information, thus, i was brought here by a search site and need help to get out from under my parents.where is a good place to look for legal advice?
help!
Candi