Anonymous wrote:I thought if the student claimed themselves as independent of parental support, they could fill out the FASFA forms on their own merits.

That would a loss of tax credit to the mom, and the student would be on their own, but maybe it's time?

"Not living with parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student for purposes of applying for federal student aid.'

https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency#dependent-or-independent

OP here---just wanted to provide an update in case this surfaces for anyone else.

DH did convince bio mom to fill out the FAFSA form. The turn around was surprisingly fast. Less than a week. Based on the FAFSA, we were able to obtain the Stafford loans which is what we were after.

We are in MD and although the state deadline is March 1, the federal deadline applied for the federal programs. The federal deadline is June 30. This makes the eligibility period a full 18 months for federal programs. Federal programs are the Pell Grant, Stafford Loan (Unsub and Sub) and Plus Loans.

I thought if the student claimed themselves as independent of parental support, they could fill out the FASFA forms on their own merits.

That would a loss of tax credit to the mom, and the student would be on their own, but maybe it's time?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The FAFSA is completed by the student, not the parent. However, it is completed sometime between January and March for the next year. If you are thinking the FAFSA will help for the spring semester, that is incorrect. Call the college's financial aid office on January, but I think the only possibility for the spring will be private loans.

The FAFSA requires the cooperation of both parents if the student is of normal college age. OP, have a blunt talk with your child. If the money isn't there, it isn't there. You can always get a private loan without a FAFSA, but that costs more. ED is not sympathetic to parents who don't cooperate -- it is assumed that they will and they should. BOTH parents.

I agree. I would have the student call the bursar's office, explain the situation, and they will tell them what to do. When BM finds out she'll have to submit a letter documenting her refusal to cooperate, maybe she'll be so embarrassed she'll be willing to submit the info.