Verification Forms "Incomplete" Can't Go to College

[escape_thereal_world]

I was selected for Verification (as I always have been). So I filled it out.

They wait until 3 days before the deadline to let me know it was Incomplete because they need my mother's Tax Returns because I'm a dependent.

Funny thing is, I filed as an independent, and nobody claimed me as a dependent last year. So...what the hell?

Now I cannot get through to my school and FAFSA says the fault lies within my school, so I'm stuck.

It's Tuesday morning and I have until Friday evening to figure this out or I'm dropped from the semester. I'm really stressed.

Any ideas why they think I'm a dependent? Oh, and my mom didn't file for taxes last year so she has to contact the IRS and get them to mail her a "Non-filers" verification and then fax it to the school, get them to review it, and approve it...in 3 days.

Yeah, right.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Sounds like a clusterfuck at your school. Perhaps they thought you were a dependent because you're living with your parents and may be covered by their insurance? It's a joke it'll happen in 3 days but if it does, I promise you I'll gnaw on a pair of my father's old shoes.

By the way, what is Verification? It sounds like something everyone would have to do but you said you were "selected" for it, which makes me think it's something completely different.

[escape_thereal_world]

It didn't happen, which is okay I guess.

Turns out, despite on the Verification Form it does not say this - but apparently in the US you are considered a Dependent to FAFSA (not the government but FAFSA) if you are under 24 years of age, no matter if you live on your own, make 200k+, etc.

It's dumb...I even asked someone at the school and she told me my boyfriend's info would be enough because I live with him and not my mom. Yaaaaa right

[eunoia]

Dependent students can change their status, but it's not easy. I was able to change my status with the help of my school, by filing an independent status appeal which was reviewed by a committee in the Financial Aid department. The appeal included documentation of being an independent (in my case, my mother's death certificate and proof of my father's incarceration, which makes him unable to contribute to funding my education), a personal letter of appeal, and a letter of appeal from a professional (the professional must meet certain criteria). You can get these forms from your financial aid office, but it doesn't sound like you meet the criteria. Since you have until tomorrow, I'd go directly to your school and let them know what has happened. Ask for some assistance. Good luck!

[Justin Bieber]

I'm with Jessie-- make a phone call to your school or see someone in person and tell them what the deal is. Usually they can extend deadlines and make exceptions on a one-to-one basis. That seems like your best bet, at the moment! Good luck.

[Kate*]

You're considered a dependant student if you're under 24 or until you finish your bachelors degree (which is why I have my own FAFSA headaches trying to get aid for graduate school). I would go in person and explain since it seems like your only option, but you're dealing with a college and the government so it might not go so well. Good luck though.

[escape_thereal_world]

I had already talked to numerous Financial Aid personnel. All I needed was to get my mother's Tax Returns, but she doesn't get those so we needed to contact the IRS for a paper stating she is a "non-filer", which would take 5-10 days.

The IRS even called my school to tell them they would have it! The school denied them and told me to apply next year.

Soooo no school for me. A weeeee bit angry, as the woman in Financial Aid told me I was a dependent and would only need my boyfriend's tax returns (we live together).