My parents were also fuckups. My mom hadn’t filed her taxes in years and my dad made a healthy salary, but had no interesting in parenting on any level, including financial support of any kind.
I finished high school when I was 16 and I did not want to wait until I was 24 to be able to file my FAFSA without my parents’ info. The other ways you can file as an independent student are if:
* You are or will be enrolled in a masters or Doctoral degree program at the beginning of the school year
* You are married on the day you file your FAFSA
* You are a parent
* You have dependents other than your spouse who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply
* Both your parents are deceased (or were until age 18) a ward of dependent of the court
* You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
* You’re a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
* You were a foster child after the age of 13.
* You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge.
So I got married. True story.
I got some grants and scholarships and went to public school, but all said and done I think I have about $50,000 in loans.
On the plus side, I get to go to graduate school for free. They pay me to be here. It’s pretty sweet.