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I know I want to attend SUNY at Buffalo. I know I will be accepted. My parents REFUSE to help me pay for college if I attend out of state. Should I try and do it on my own?? or should i stay in louisiana because they don't want me to leave?? O? can i apply as an independent student on the FAFSA in this type of situation?

By Shhh (Shhh) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 09:02 pm: Edit

do it, if they're being THAT harsh, you can always divorce them and declare yourself independent.

By Fiza (Fiza) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 10:42 pm: Edit

mine arent either. And yes Im attending a private out of state school. And picking up the large tab. I have no qualms about that.

stop whining

By Justinmeche (Justinmeche) on Thursday, April 29, 2004 - 11:12 pm: Edit

I hear often that becoming an independent is a tough process to go through and it probably won't help you out in your case. If you parents want you to stay in state because of financial reasons and if they are paying the bill, then you should stay in-state or go out-of-state and pay for it yourself. While colleges expect parents to help pay for tuition, they are not under any legal obligation to do so. And if they decide not to pay, the college could care less. My parents are unable to pay for any college so I just take out loans to cover everything. But I am fortunate to have a generous cosigner. Without that person, I would not have been able to go to college. So while I will have a lot of loan debt, I am still thankful that someone was there to help me out in some way.

By Kmw11187 (Kmw11187) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 12:49 pm: Edit

its not because of financial reasons that they don't want me to go, they just don't want me to go where they can't monitor every move i make.

By Yoyomama04 (Yoyomama04) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 02:58 pm: Edit

In that case I would DEFINITELY go out of state! You will be much better off if you can get away from that kind of control.

Apply for financial aid as an independent and make sure they know you're funding your college tuition yourself.

By Filmmom (Filmmom) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 05:00 pm: Edit

It is nearly impossible to file as an independent for financial aid as was said upthread. You have to have a separate address and not be claimed by your parents on taxes for at least 2 years. If you want to go out of state and your parents will not help you; you will have to fund it all yourself.

By Justinmeche (Justinmeche) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 05:06 pm: Edit

Read this: http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/000104.htm

By Clickspring (Clickspring) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 06:01 pm: Edit

why SUNY Buffalo? Why not your instate school?

By Kmw11187 (Kmw11187) on Saturday, May 01, 2004 - 03:47 pm: Edit

it's difficult for me to make people understand exactly why... this may even sound like a stupid reason to you but, i've lived in the south all my life. i know what's here. i want a quality education but also an opportunity to experience something new. why new york? well, why not? i know SUNY @ Buffalo has exactly what i want in a school and it will prepare me for my graduate studies at NYU.

By Spit (Spit) on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 05:07 pm: Edit

I go to SUNY Buffalo as an out-of-state student and my parents dont help me pay for tuition...fafsa and loans was the way I did it.