FASFA.. long

Nurses General Nursing

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I am in a difficult situation right now. I want to go to college for Nursing really bad but i dont have the money to do so. Really interested in William Paterson if I could make it.

This is my senior year. My mom and dad divorced when I was young and then my mom remarried. I have two little sisters (from my mom and stepdad) as well. My dad has not paid FULL child support since he got laid off about 10 years ago and has been a bum since (he owes around $60,000 in child support) He is no where to be found and its making my college applications hell. I live with my mom and stepdad and we have this one argument that keeps coming up.

On the Fasfa form or some college apps, im confused on what to put down. It mentions about who is in my household and how much my household makes. My mom is a stay at home mom so there is no income coming from there. Then there is my stepdad who works and supports all of us so we live pretty comfortably (makes $108,000 a year). Im just running into some trouble because my stepdad is not willing to pay for my college because its not his responsibility and he is hesitant about me using his tax info for the fasfa form. He tells me if i use his info, it will only hurt me in a way that I wont be more able to get scholarships and grants from the government.. so i really dont want to use his info because its not fair.

Im basically on the poverty line.. with my mom not working and my dad no where to be found or heard of. What do I do when filling out these forms? Do i mention my sisters in my household, along with my stepdad.. or do I fill out my mother's information and my dad's information where we only have his social security number.. and thats pretty much it.

My mom and stepdad are leaving it up to me to figure this out and it is so overwhelming and frustrating because I dont know who to ask or where to start. It sucks that I was born and I have to deal with issues that shouldnt really involve me in the first place. Can someone please help me if you have been in the same boat or know any information in this direction? I dont know what Im eligible for since I live fine in my home now, but in reality I dont have anything from my mom or real dad.

is there anyone i could talk to about this.. im sure im not the only one who has been in this situation.

Please help. Im 17, from NJ, 3.4 GPA out of 6.0 scale, 1260 sats out of 2400 (I know, really bad score, i retook them but i dont think a change will be seen)

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.

Ask the financial aid counselor at the schools you are applying to. I am pretty sure you have to include the stepdads info unfortunately. It is not the end of the world though, most students do take out loans these days. Just be careful and only use the money for things you really need and pay it back asap. Good luck

thanks for everyone's replies, it means alot. So basically Im screwed in this situation which isnt really the answer i wanted coming out of this. Ouch :(

Don't think that way.....no need to worry yet. You aren't defeated....the "battle" hasn't even begun. At this point, you do not have any idea how much you will qualify for. You haven't even completed the first step yet. It's silly to worry about the unknown. The priority is going to school. One way or another I am sure you will be able to pay for it. Unfortunately, it may not be a "free." There are many scholarships that are not need based. There are many options you can explore before and after applying for the financial aid. The first step is completing the FAFSA. Start looking for and applying for as many scholarships as you can. There are a ton of reputable websites out there with info on different scholarships. Applying for scholarships can be time consuming, but if it's something you want, the work is worth it. Talk to your high school counselor. Do searches on the web for your state + nurse + scholarships. Don't forget....many colleges also have their own scholarships and grants. Again, these are not always need-based.

Be proactive about it and get a jump start. The more time you put into it, likely, the more $ you can find for college. Also, if you work, see if your employer has tuition reimbursement. If you don't work, you should ;)

I was a single mom with three kids. I did not get a free ride for my bachelor's degree (not in nursing) but I did get some grants and several scholarships....however, I also had to take out student loans. The way I see it, college isn't free. You are the one benefiting from your college degree and you will need to work for it -- work in the coursework and work for the financial aspect of it.

Again, try not to worry too much....first fill out the FAFSA, finalize your college search so you can get their financial aid advisers' help and talk with your high school guidance counselor.

Good luck! If you want it, you will find a way to get it! :heartbeat

You have a few options...

1. Go, take out loans, work hard to make good grades to get a scholarship later on, work part-time during school, and see if you can live at home while commuting to school.

2. Go into the Army.

3. File for emancipation. I don't know how your state works, but I had to do this when I was 18 so my dad could quit paying my mom child support. I was supporting myself through school, so why should he pay her anymore? This made me free and clear to be independant on my FAFSA.

4. Postpone school.

Essentially there is always an option. Remember though, most of these options mean little fun during school. So if you are a party person that wants to go out every night of the week, forget about it.

Good luck

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

You could file for emancipation.

You could postpone college until you are 23 years old, and in the meantime, work hard and save up some money. You could become a CNA and get some experience in health care that way.

Specializes in SRNA.
Um....the FAFSA *is* for student loans.

But it is also utilized to assess need for certain scholarships and grants by financial aid departments. I can understand why she would be reluctant to report the income from her step-father when there is no expectation that he'll be providing any support.

I would work with the guidance and financial aid counselors at the schools that you want to attend.

There are a couple of strategies that you can consider.

1. Consider a Community College for your prerequisites. If you can live at home that will help reduce expenses. (In

2. Take Advanced Placement courses.

3. Try to clep out of as many classes as you can.

4. If you can attend college classes as part of your HS program that may save you some money. (In MN HS students can attend tuition free during their JR/SR years)

5. Consider joining the National Guard. (Tons of money available for school but it does require military service.)

Please don't give up.

(PS you can also consider the LPN to RN route. )

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
But it is also utilized to assess need for certain scholarships and grants by financial aid departments. I can understand why she would be reluctant to report the income from her step-father when there is no expectation that he'll be providing any support.

Yes, I know this. I've been a recipient of these scholarships and grants myself. However, the loans typically make up the bulk of the package, and loans must be paid back. I fail to see how this is a "free handout". I, too, can understand her dilemma.

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

3. File for emancipation. I don't know how your state works, but I had to do this when I was 18 so my dad could quit paying my mom child support. I was supporting myself through school, so why should he pay her anymore? This made me free and clear to be independant on my FAFSA.

I would suggest what the OP said above.

As the child of divorced parents and a mom in a blended family, my kids have a stepdad, I want to tell you that your stepdad cannot say you're not his responsibility. You became his responsibility when he married your mom. Does he claim you on his taxes? I understand his point, but it's invalid.

Perhaps you can try what JadeGreenEyes above said.

The problem you may run into with loans is that I think your parents have to sign for them if you're not independent.

If you have a dream to become a nurse, then don't let anyone stop you. I think we are so fortunate inthis country to have community and state colleges which don't cost as much as private universities. We also have those special schools for working people that cost a lot, but allow you to work full time. You may even find that you can take out loans. G/L!

Mmmm....I am very hesitate to tell anyone to do something they shouldn't....and I hope the OP strongly considers what some on here have suggested she do....like just not put down her step dad's info.

According the the FAFSA website, the OP must note her step dad's income on the FAFSA. Doesn't matter if he is going to help her pay for school or not. He has supported her so his income counts - remember, mom doesn't work & dad is MIA, so her step dad's income is relevant.

Plus, her mom isn't working which means that she would have to say there was NO income coming into the household???? All income (child support, alimony, welfare benefits, etc.) must be noted as income on the FAFSA. Since mom isn't getting alimony, child support or welfare, how is she supporting her family????? Talk about setting off red flags.

While it may seem easy to just say, uh, my step dad isn't contributing so I don't have to put his income down, let's not forget the FAFSA is a legal governmental document. OP has to sign it saying the info she put on there is true. So, if she gets caught lying, she will likely lose all future hopes of receiving financial aid.....and goodness knows what the penalties are for putting down falsified information on the government doc.

Also, even though the step dad isn't helping her pay for college, if she stays home while attending school, he is contributing minimally to the roof over her head, food, utilities, etc.

I would suggest that the OP call FAFSA directly -- 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to clarify what is on their website and their instructions (which does indicate she must list the step dad's income). Of course, emancipation is another option.

Someone noted above that they thought the parents had to sign for the loans. Well, that depends....Federal Stafford Loans are signed by the student because the loan is their responsibility to repay. There are two types -- subsidized - government pays the accruing interest while the student is in school and unsubsidized - interest accumulates. There are annual and aggregate limits on both depending on the grade/credit level (freshman, sophomore, etc) If the parents choose to take out student loans to help their child pay for college, they take out & sign Parent Plus loans. More info is available thru Sallie Mae. Just do a search for them.

To the OP, good luck! Try not to worry too much. Take it step by step. Start early so you have plenty of time to handle the unexpected. Who knows, you may not have anything to worry about, but you won't know until you complete the FAFSA. :D

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