r/Assistance • u/itsurbro7777 • Apr 16 '24
Parents disowned because of identity, University refusing to give me aid even though I'm in almost complete poverty REQUEST
Hello everyone! I am a student at ASU and am being unfairly charged by the University. To preface, my parents disowned me for being queer after my first year of college, so I am completely on my own. However, the university is still charging me like my parents are paying, and have refused to grant me independent student status. I have gone to student advocacy, financial aid, honors advising, my major advising, and my college. I've told them that I am paying my own way through college, and that they can't go off of what my parents make as my income as they disowned me long ago for being trans and don't give me a penny. The school charges me a shit ton of money, way more than I should be being charged, and no matter who I talk to they won't change it. I have begged and cried, I have told them that I can't afford basic things like soap or clothes, and they do not care. They tell me to take out an emergency loan worth $500... nevermind the fact I owe 11k, and have maxed out the loans I'm allowed to take. My account is now locked because I owe so much money and i don't have any way to pay it. I work basically full time and put every bit of my paycheck towards this and it barely makes a dent.
I have applied to many scholarships but I'm unable to find ones that actually give me a shot, all the ones I'm eligible for have like 20,000 other applicants. You are more than welcome to scroll through my previous reddit history to see that I am a student at ASU, and that I've been asking about money and scholarships and stuff for months now. If anyone needs more proof or more information I am more than happy to provide it. Any other advice is more than welcome, like if anyone knows of programs that give grants or scholarships. I've posted stuff similar to this in other subreddits but a lot of them get removed for some reason, even though I make sure to follow the rules :(
I'm sure I'll get the "just change schools" advice, and my major is super niche. ASU is one of the only schools in the country that offers it, so moving would be extremely difficult.
Finally, here's the link to my GoFundMe. If anyone can donate anything I will be so appreciative. If anybody knows any good spots or groups or organizations that I could post this to so I can get more people reading about my situation, that would also be awesome. I'm really just trying to make ends meet, I love going to school and I love getting an education. Thank you!
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u/aceinthetrenches Jul 15 '24
i would lawyer up! I am a queer, former UHY (unaccompanied homeless youth), documented in family court, and my community college finaid did the same demands on me that my estranged parents needed to fund my education. I thought updates were made to legally drop that requirement! How dissappointing!
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u/itsurbro7777 Jul 15 '24
I might! Thankfully I was able to get a bonus scholarship, and while it definitely doesn't cover everything it did take the number down by a few thousand a semester.
I find it strange how so many of my friends whose parents are loaded and pay for everything got massive scholarships. I got one of the lowest merit scholarships possible even though I graduated from one of the top high schools in the country (magnet school) and have won a ton of contests and achievements, and had good grades.
It seems like my college's priorities aren't straight. Instead of basically funding rich kid's education I would focus more on underprivileged students with little or no parental assistance.
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u/aceinthetrenches Jul 15 '24
I'm trying to navigate the situation as well. I wonder if the educational funding resources favor the "continuing-gen" college culture instead of the "low-income, disabled, and/or first-gen" student because of this philosophy - https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2024/07/95382/
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Apr 17 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
I appreciate many of the comments, I've gotten a few pieces of great advice that I'm going to see if I can do anything with. However, I've spent a lot of time answering comments, and a lot of the new ones I've seen coming in are the same questions I've already answered! So if you have a question, if you look through the comments I probably have already answered it (and I've gone into some deep stuff too) and I most likely won't have time today to answer a lot of repetitive stuff. And I appreciate anything that was donated; anything helps, the more money I raise, the more I have to put towards my current tuition balance, and hopefully soon I'll be able to afford to take enough out of my paycheck to get things I need that I don't currently have (like groceries 😭). Thanks again!
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u/cturtl808 Apr 17 '24
I’m not understanding how you filled out your FAFSA. There are specific questions that surround your parents claiming you as a dependent. If you’re selecting yes on the unusual circumstances and no for dependent then you should be considered independent.
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u/Conversation_Ashamed Apr 18 '24
It depends on how old you are as well, I have been independent for some time but every time I try to apply it flags me as a dependent (even after I say that I am not one, and am not living with them). However, It stops automatically doing it when you turn 26 I believe.
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u/The_Yarichin_Bitch Apr 17 '24
May need to call the aid dept or FAFSA itself and tell them the situation. If they are illegally claiming OP, that's a lawsuit they'd win probably? Pro bono lawyer, or even just get them to stop that way by flagging their taxes :)
Parents can be monsters....
Then again, partner is so fucked with this fafsa, itclaims they're abive poverty line when they aren't. This year particularly is terrible and I cannot believe this was approved when they weren't ready at all for the rollout.
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u/cannagiraffezebra Apr 17 '24
My (f) wife went through something similar because her family disowned her when they found out about our relationship. She ended up going to therapy, individual at first until she had to move to group because she hit her max, and by going to therapy, her therapist at her school wrote a note saying what happened and she is no longer receiving anything from her parents and that she needs the school to not contact them for any reason. From there she was able to get, I believe, the financial aid office to listen. FAFSA has their own list of things you need to submit for independent status as well as your school. She had to get a handful of letters from people who were around when everything happened and filled out a lot of paperwork for the school side of things. The incident with her parents happened the beginning of fall semester (sept) and by spring semester (jan), she had been approved for independent status WITH back pay from the first semester. She had enough money to buy a used car and help us cover her rent. In case you don’t know, you just get ridiculously high subsidized and unsubsidized loans, so we are still dealing with those almost 9 years later and will for probably decades, but it’s the only way she could have stayed in school to get her degree. I’m sorry life is so hard and rough right now, but I promise it gets better
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u/isosorry Apr 17 '24
You need to contact lawyers and see if they can kick up a fuss or notorize something official citing your independent student status. Be the squeaky wheel. this is ridiculous, if they go off parents income then your parents should be the ones with the loans in their name.
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u/supercalifragil11 Apr 17 '24
We’re committed to the success of our partners (employees). Every eligible U.S. partner working part- or full-time receives 100% tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program. Choose from over 140+ diverse undergraduate degree programs, and have our support every step of the way.
https://www.starbucks.com/careers/working-at-starbucks/education/
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u/Severe-Revolution-50 Apr 17 '24
I recently was able to get myself independent status, due to 1) my dad passing away and 2) an abusive mother. i had to see a mental health professional to have them write me a letter of recommendation and it was approved instantly. it is possible, but proof will be needed. i happened to have the spam of hateful texts from my mom saved in my phone at the time and that got me an instant approval. other than that, you might just have to grit your teeth and take a break from school. i’ve had to do it for two quarters now and while it sucks, it will give you time to work and make money back up. hope your situation gets better, i’m about to be evicted myself so i understand ♥️ hugs xx
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
Did you graduate from an Arizona high school?
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
No
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u/LessComfortable1996 Apr 17 '24
Yikes, if you’re struggling you really need to try to find a school in the state you are registered in. Either get an Arizona drivers license or transfer. I transferred away from ASU, it’s not the end the world. Being an in-state resident greatly reduces college costs. Second contact a lawyer to draft up a notice that you are independent and have it notarized. Also have them send a letter to your parents stating that that cannot claim you as a dependent on their taxes as you no longer have contact. When this is done, go back to your college financial aid with your docs of proof. Good luck. Keep your head up.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
No Contact With My Parents If you have no contact with your parents and don’t know where they live, or you’ve left home due to an abusive situation, select “Yes” to the “Do unusual circumstances prevent the student from contacting their parents or would contacting their parents pose a risk to the student?” question on the 2024–25 FAFSA form. You’ll be considered provisionally independent. To complete your application, you should contact the financial aid office at the college or career/trade school you plan to attend to find out what supporting documentation you’ll need to submit directly to the school.
You can use this for submitting the FAFSA to gain independent status, usually you'll have to write a letter explaining the situation (that you were disowned, you live on your own, how long you've been no contact or whatever the circumstances are).
You could also go the at risk of being homeless while self supporting route, this can also require a letter from yourself or sometimes you have to go to a shelter to get them to sign off on it.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
Honestly it sounds like you have two issues, the residency status and the dependent status for financial aid purposes. The two processes don't actually have anything to do with each other in the initial determination. If you don't qualify for in-state tuition then that's that, and the university isn't unfairly charging you if you don't meet the residency requirements then you don't meet them and you're being charged just as every other student who doesn't meet the requirements is. A dependent status for financial aid purposes when completing the FAFSA does not have anything to do with where you've lived for the past year, I'd love to see a link on the ASU website saying this as you keep saying because the university determines your residency but they don't determine your status as independent or dependent.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
https://registrar.asu.edu/residency
I suggest you look at this and scroll down until you see "read more about this petition" under independent student and click the link. There it clearly says that you cannot be considered an independent student unless you can prove you aren't just living in Arizona for education. You need to show proof you've lived there for a year without attending a university. That's the exact line the lady pulled up and showed me when I asked about becoming independent. I will say again, it makes no sense at all, and I have no idea why that is a requirement. But it is.
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u/mmmelpomene Apr 17 '24
Interest free loans with average $9,000/year limit.
They helped me through undergrad in the dark ages (1990’s)… Very reasonable repayment schedule, that doesn’t start until a year after graduation.
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u/lilbundle Apr 17 '24
I suggest you stop being so godamm rude to people that are going OUT OF THEIR WAY to help you! Nobody needs to help you hey, nobody owes you anything. This person is literally bending over backwards trying to find assistance for you and your attitude is anything but appreciative. Im glad I saw this bc I came to donate and after seeing your attitude I won’t.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Girl chill. You can read further down where we come to an understanding. It was all a misunderstanding before, they're actually awesome and had some great resources, and we're talking again tomorrow. Trust me, we agreed the culprit here was neither of us; rather, the horrifically complex and confusing system of financial aid in universities.
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u/lilbundle Apr 17 '24
Did you just assume my gender!!???? Would you like me to refer to you as girl? Wow.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
What in the world... I call everyone dude, bro, sis, and girl. They're all gender neutral lmao. Are you just looking for someone to get mad at right now? Picking fights with an autistic person for speaking in a forward manner over the Internet?
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
That is for residency status and not for financial aid determination. Residency status determines whether you will be charged in state or out of state tuition and can impact what scholarships you are available for based on your residency status. The independent status for financial aid determination is not based off of your residency status and has other requirements.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Please look again at the link under the independent student section. One of the requirements to be an independent student is to have lived in Arizona for a year without attending a college or university. It says right there in the file. And that's for independent student status, not residency
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
Omg I cannot repeat this enough. That is used in determining residency, because you can be considered a dependent resident or an independent resident. If you are a dependent resident you have to submit your parent's info for proof of address and bills and other stuff, but if you're an independent you submit your own. It is absolutely 100% in regard to your status for residency, it is not your status in regard to filling out the FAFSA.
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u/lilbundle Apr 17 '24
I think it’s so great you tried to help this person out so much. It is noticed and others appreciate you!
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
The independent student petition requires you to:
Provide proof of domicile and continuous physical presence in Arizona for 12 months Provide proof of financial independence Overcome the presumption that you are in Arizona primarily to be a student
(copied and pasted over from the link)
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
Correct, because again, that is in regard to being an independent resident.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Okay but how do I become an independent non-resident? Because that's what I asked the lady, and this is the page she sent me to. So something isn't right.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
It doesn't make a difference for your determination of residency, you don't meet the requirements for in state tuition. You need to explore the options to become an independent on the FAFSA, you will still be charged out of state tuition, but this will change your Federal Student Aid eligibility. I left another comment somewhere in this thread about either saying you cannot obtain your parents' info because you were disowned or exploring the self dependency and at risk of being homeless, although that avenue may be tricky since you live on campus.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Also, when I look up filing as independent for the FAFSA, this is the result I get:
: Unfortunately, the federal government views paying for college as the responsibility of the parents, even though thousands of students have the same experience that you have described. You can only qualify as an independent student on the FAFSA if you are at least 24 years of age, married, on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, financially supporting dependent children, an orphan (both parents deceased), a ward of the court, or an emancipated minor.
So while the lady was wrong about the living in Arizona for a year thing, I guess she was right that I can't qualify as independent regardless. If this is correct, at least
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Will the fact I filed as a dependent on taxes change that? My mom called me before I did taxes and asked me to file as a dependent, since she is also disabled and says she "needed the money the tax return would give her" if I filed as a dependent and said it wouldn't make a difference for me. I felt really bad so I did it, even though I'm not financially dependent on her for anything anymore. But reading through some of the comments, I'm starting to worry that wasn't the right thing to do...
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Well I told the lady I had a meeting with that I wasn't a resident and wanted to become an independent student. She pulled that page up and tapped at the part that said "you have to have lived in Arizona for a year without attending college to get independent student status"
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u/jubbagalaxy Apr 17 '24
not saying this would be helpful, but you said you are working full-time. what industry are you in? if its something beyond retail, especially if you were taught specialized skills in order to complete your job duties, if you leave school for a year (which i know is less than ideal) during that 12 months of not being enrolled, you will gain status as a resident and could prove you weren't only in arizona to go to school as part of a specialized industry, be entitled to in-state tuition as i can see they have defined it based on residency, and potentially could apply for tuition assistance/financial aid. i know staying enrolled means a dorm room, and food access which would be more expensive to replace as an individual, but way cheaper than wracking up 11k bills and trashing your credit.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
My jobs are both at the university, meaning I would lose them if I left school
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u/lele6394 Apr 17 '24
Look up how “homeless” is defined for your state and FAFSA. If you happen to be in a situation that aligns with that criteria and can provide the supporting documentation, you will likely qualify for a status override, but be prepared to swallow your pride and do what you need to do. I’ve got a mentee that was sleeping on his friend’s couch, but really struggled when he had to visit a local homeless center/agency to get his supporting documentation.
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u/mermaidmom85 Apr 17 '24
I think the issue with financial aid is that they require proof that you are independent. If your parents don’t claim you on their taxes and you claim yourself, you can use that to prove independent status.
I had a friend in community college with that issue (they also disowned him because he is gay) and unfortunately his parents still claimed him up to the maximum 24-years of age limit, if I remember the age limit correctly.
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u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
Taxes has zero to do with claiming independent student status
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u/mermaidmom85 Apr 17 '24
In what context do you mean, specifically? Because it was absolutely a necessary document for proof of income & filing status for financial aid and to receive in-state residency tuition.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
"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." From the Federal Student Aid website in regard to dependent status.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
Just because you file your taxes independently does not make you an independent for financial aid purposes.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Unfortunately dependency status is party based on if you've lived in Arizona without going to school. So even though I'm independent on taxes and stuff, the school still doesn't consider me as such as I haven't lived in AZ for a year without attending university. Don't understand that rule but it is what it is
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
The dependency status for residency requirements are, but not for financial aid. You keep conflating the two. A dependent resident/non-resident has nothing to do with being a dependent/independent for financial aid purposes.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
https://registrar.asu.edu/residency
I suggest you look at this and scroll down until you see "read more about this petition" under independent student and click the link. There it clearly says that you cannot be considered an independent student unless you can prove you aren't just living in Arizona for education. You need to show proof you've lived there for a year without attending a university. That's the exact line the lady pulled up and showed me when I asked about becoming independent. I will say again, it makes no sense at all, and I have no idea why that is a requirement. But it is.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
I don't fully understand why I'm being down voted. Either ASU or Arizona has these requirements for independent status. I highly urge anybody who doesn't believe me to look up ASU's process for becoming independent before the age of 24. I'm not lying or making anything up, as ridiculous as it sounds.
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u/mermaidmom85 Apr 17 '24
Ugh that is one of the worst parts, the residency requirements. Other things can be appealed, with hope of success, with the exception of residency.
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u/MillenialAtHeart Apr 17 '24
You should do your first two years at a junior college. It’s the same damn professors anyway and nobody knows the difference to your last two years at a university of your choice for your ultra niche major. I noticed you did not list your major. Hopefully it’s not too niche but you’ll be lucky finding a job doing that with no Skills. Too many people going to school they can’t afford and not being able to to get the income afterwards.
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u/KAyjAy0721 Apr 17 '24
Try working for Amazon they will pay for your schooling and you can access your paycheck super quickly
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u/Uberchelle Apr 17 '24
Have you considered working at Starbucks part-time? They offer free tuition at ASU online.
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u/Otherwise-Course-15 Apr 17 '24
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Please DM me. I work in higher education but I’ve also helped students in similar situations appeal aid decisions and find additional resources. Side note: ALWAYS appeal financial aid from your school. I have NEVER not gotten more money. But OP please reach out. Who is completing your FAFSA? Is your parents’ income included in that? I’m assuming you’re over 18 and if your parents do not support you and are still claiming you as a dependent that’s fraud. I can reach out to my school’s financial aid dept and ask for guidance as well. In the meantime, I seriously also encourage you to touch base with your school’s LGTBQ on campus org. I’d bet they know exactly how to navigate this situation and can also help you find alternate funding sources.
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u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
Uh taxes just filed were for last year. Pretty sure the parents supported OP then.
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u/woundedloon Apr 17 '24 edited Apr 17 '24
I’m sure you have checked out any trans* scholarships and aid that may be available? Check out (google) Arizona Trans Mutual Aid. I’m not sure if it’s the same as how my state’s is run, but it might be a starting point. Your school’s LGBT+ center would be a good resource for more scholarship info or aid for trans* students.
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u/CrystalBlackheart Apr 17 '24
Have you reached out to your campus' lgbtq+ association/club? You can't be the only student this affects.
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u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
The cost is the cost whether you are dependent or independent. The only variable that matters there is instate or out of state at a public university. What may change is the aid you are eligible for. The government will allow you to take more loans as an independent student and the school may offer more grant aid if they have the money. Since it is nearly the end of the semester, I imagine the school has given out all the aid it had for the year.
BTW it is no simple task to be declared independent for FAFSA. The rules are rather strict and just because they don’t want to support you doesn’t necessarily make you independent. You may need to take time off from school until you become independent via a more traditional route including aging out.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Just wanted to say I'm super appreciative of all of the helpful comments I've gotten so far! Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice.
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u/RainbowUnicorn0228 REGISTERED Apr 16 '24
Sue your parents
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
I mean, they aren't obligated to pay my tuition, so I'm not sure what this would do...
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u/RainbowUnicorn0228 REGISTERED Apr 17 '24
If they haven’t legally disowned you and the school is including their income when you applied for aid, you can sue them for support. Sure maybe the case would go nowhere but maybe it sparks some action on their part. Maybe they call the school and sign an affidavit that you are disowned or maybe they agree to co-sign on a loan.
Either way you have nothing to lose by trying.
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u/Otherwise-Course-15 Apr 17 '24
This is actually true. This happened in NJ and the student won the case: https://6abc.com/entitled-generation-college-tuition-action-news-special-report-wendy-saltzman/392148/
Worst comes to worst Legal Aid would probably take the case pro bono
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u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
Different states have different laws regarding support for family members.
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u/RainbowUnicorn0228 REGISTERED Apr 16 '24
Contact the ASLU.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
What is the ASLU
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u/Otherwise-Course-15 Apr 17 '24
I think they meant ACLU
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
I wondered that, but I don't see how the ACLU is relevant at all in this situation. OP doesn't meet the financial aid requirements for federal financial aid, it has nothing to do with their sexual orientation they just don't meet the requirements. It's not the school targeting them, they just don't meet the requirements. They aren't being charged unfairly, the requirements are the same for everyone. OP could explore community college and transfer credit options, consider working off campus, taking time off from school, there's even other avenues they could explore to achieve an independent status to try and receive more aid. A go fund me is not sustainable in the long run to pay for college.
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
I've commented about all the things you have listed already. My major is very niche and almost no schools offer it exactly. Not all of my credits would transfer over, putting me at least a year behind. Source; talked to two different college counselors about their exact thing.
I have applied to all of the off-campus jobs that I can get to. I have heard nothing back from most and gotten a few rejection letters. I'm also physically disabled, making outside work hard to get.
There are no other avenues I can explore to get independent status except for living here for a full year without going to school, and again, we run into the job issue. Hey, if you know of any well-paying jobs in the area that will hire a disabled person, by all means PLEASE let me know. However I have searched. My jobs with the university are great and get me many benefits.
You are correct. A gofundme is not a sustainable way to pay for college in the long run. And I am absolutely not asking for people to fund my entire college tuition. But I am dirt poor currently. As I have said, I do not have the money to make ends meet. I know there are scholarships for poor or underpriveleged students on campus, as many of my friends have them, but because the school insists on looking at my parents income instead of mine I do not qualify.
And as stated before, I am doing my best to comb through resources ASU and other programs provide to find more ways to pay for my tuition. I am not expecting the general public to pay my tuition, I'm just trying to get a little help in the time being. My goal is like a quarter of what I currently owe lol. I am absolutely working my ass off here, and nowhere did I say, or make it seem like, I am trying to get other people to pay my entire tuition. I am literally just trying to find funding or money wherever I can.
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u/who-are-we-anyway Apr 17 '24
If you want to DM me I'd be more than happy to keep exploring avenues for you. What state did you graduate high school in? How long have you lived in Arizona? Do you stay in Arizona over the summer? Have you filed Arizona tax returns? Do you rent an apartment or own a home in Arizona? Is your car registered in Arizona? Do you have an Arizona driver's license?
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
Graduated in Texas, been going to school in Arizona for almost two years now. Yes I stayed in AZ over summer, I lived in dorms. I just filed my AZ taxes the other day for the first time. I don't rent or own a home here, I don't have a car, and I don't have a driver's license, but I do have a Texas State ID. We can continue the conversation in DMs if you'd prefer, or here; I don't mind either way
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u/NikkeiReigns Apr 16 '24
What is your major?
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
Double major for Earth and Environmental Science and Sustainability. There are a few schools with similar-ish programs I could enroll in, but they aren't the same, and not all of my credits would transfer over, putting me a year behind.
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u/Otherwise-Course-15 Apr 17 '24
I wish I could adopt you. My university - where I work offers similar majors - and dependents go free.
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u/NikkeiReigns Apr 16 '24
It's a Longshot, but are there any places you could work that would help you get a degree in that field? There are a lot of places that do that, but often it has to be a degree related to the workplace.
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u/supercalifragil11 Apr 17 '24
We’re committed to the success of our partners (employees). Every eligible U.S. partner working part- or full-time receives 100% tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program. Choose from over 140+ diverse undergraduate degree programs, and have our support every step of the way. https://www.starbucks.com/careers/working-at-starbucks/education/
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
I've never heard of this but I'll look into it. Thank you for your advice, I appreciate you!
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u/NikkeiReigns Apr 16 '24
You're welcome. Best of luck to you. Just no matter what, don't ever quit.
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u/mar-verde Apr 16 '24
Hi!! I have experienced the saaae situation with FA office being totally clueless to students financial struggles, and being financially independent from a young age. #1 absolutely no one cares more about your money than you do, so you have to be your best advocate. #2 FA absolutely sucks, and does not always give sound advice. Unfortunately you have to do all your own research, and scour your university website for the proper forms. After some brief searching I found a Dependency Review, have you looked into/ completed this? It might not go into effect until next year, but that is still better than nothing. #3 I would look into a LGBTQIA club at your university, they might have their own advocacy networks that will help you!! Any questions you might have I will try to help. #4 look into if there’s a food bank on campus or for students, and use it AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!! I’ve been given the runaround from FA more times than I can count, and I know it is extremely frustrating. They act like it’s just numbers on a screen, rather than our livelihood!
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u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
Thank you for the advice! Yep, unfortunately I don't qualify for independent status because to get it, you have to either be 24, or live in Arizona for a full year, working to support yourself, without attending ASU, and I've done neither :( But I will definitely take your advice on asking LGBT organizations for advice and assistance, and also utilizing the food bank (which I already do pretty frequently!) Thanks again :)
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u/mar-verde Apr 17 '24
Of course they gotta make it so impossible to qualify 🙄 best of luck to you, im hoping you find a helpful community at your schools lgbt club!
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u/flamingofast Apr 16 '24
Husband went to ASU. His advice is to keep going back to the financial aid office. Bug the sh!t out of them until they get the point. (That's what he did. He also has to write an affidavit.) Also, is there a LGBTQ+ advocacy group on campus? Mighr want to try there, too.
13
u/masterminor Apr 16 '24
I had this issue as well. Did you fill out the FAFSA? How old are you? That can impact it as well. Students over 24 are considered independent automatically on the fafsa.
1
u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
I did fill out the FAFSA, unfortunately I'm 20 and I haven't lived in Arizona for a year without attending university, so I can't be considered independent for these two reasons, meaning they will only look at parents income :/
2
u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
The living there is for residency not independent status.
-2
u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
That isn't true. I don't know why, but to gain independent status, you have to have lived in Arizona for a year supporting yourself, without attending university, for a year, if you're under 24. It says so on the ASU website, and the lady I met with to try to gain independent status also told me so. I promise you, I have exhausted these avenues. That's why I made the gofundme
0
u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
The go fund me isn’t going to work. Even if you could raise the money it has to be reported as external aid and will count against your future financial aid.
0
u/itsurbro7777 Apr 17 '24
That's not true lol, I had a friend raise 5 grand and she just put it towards her tuition out of her bank account like regular money
0
u/Dragonflies3 Apr 17 '24
Then they lied on their next FAFSA because that is reported as unearned income. Lying on FAFSA is a crime.
2
u/masterminor Apr 17 '24
Have you tried Trans specific resources? Like the Trevor Project, they might be able to point you to specific resources for LGBT specific supports, not just talking when you're on the brink. You might also check your local LGBT youth support centers, like Kaleidoscope in my area. you can find good sources on https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/
too.
8
u/masterminor Apr 16 '24
Is it possible to pause school long enough to be considered independent?
2
u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
Someone else asked this question too, unfortunately I don't think I'd be able to secure housing or a job that could support me. My ASU jobs are actually great and make my tuition a lot cheaper than it would be; id be looking at around 60k a year without them. And one of them provides me with free housing. I'm also disabled so I'm limited on what work I can do. I've already tried applying to all of the jobs outside ASU in my area and I've only gotten rejections or no response unfortunately.
13
u/UltraBlue89 Apr 16 '24
Things may have changed since I went to school, but tuition is tuition, the only thing that changes based on financial status would be accessibility to grants, financial aid, etc.
Applying for financial aid would be at the start of the year. There may be grants or other options for financial aid independent of school and your parents.
-2
u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
Yep, I've applied for financial aid both last year and this year. The issue simply is that they're looking at my parents income and not mine to determine how much aid I get. I've gone in and told them multiple times that my parents do not pay for any part of my tuition. I've showed them the payments towards my tuition and how they all come from me, and they don't care. The frustrating part is that I have a few friends who were easily able to get full rides based on their financial situation, because the school thought they had "demonstrated extreme need". One of my friends literally gets a check in the mail at the end of every semester because they gave her more aid than she can use. It's just irritating they don't understand that I'm also poor.
1
1
u/Standard_Hamster_182 Apr 17 '24
Dependency is not based on if your parents help you financially or not. You could apply for a dependency appeal and report that it is unsafe for you to contact your parents. Per the studentaid.gov website:
“No Contact With My Parents If you have no contact with your parents and don’t know where they live, or you’ve left home due to an abusive situation, select “Yes” to the “Do unusual circumstances prevent the student from contacting their parents or would contacting their parents pose a risk to the student?” question on the 2024–25 FAFSA form. You’ll be considered provisionally independent. To complete your application, you should contact the financial aid office at the college or career/trade school you plan to attend to find out what supporting documentation you’ll need to submit directly to the school.”
You could try to claim that you cannot contact your parents due to an abusive situation aka they disowned you due to who you are
1
8
u/DreyHI Apr 16 '24
Would they let you pause your enrollment, and work for a semester or two to save up a cushion for yourself?
-2
u/itsurbro7777 Apr 16 '24
I'm sure they would, but I would lose most of the support I have right now. For instance, one of my jobs pays for most of my housing. I'm really lucky to have that job, as it's saved me from being on the streets. I've thought about what you said and even tried to apply for non university jobs around me, and none of them get back to me. Additionally, I'm disabled, so a lot of jobs I'm unable to work or just won't hire me. I really love the university jobs I have right now, I just wish the university itself gave me the benefits and scholarships a lot of my friends are getting.
5
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