When I decided I was going to attend Dyersburg State Community College in 2008, the first thing I did was try to fill out my FAFSA. I was told that since I was a non-traditional student that would be the best thing for me to do.
Non-traditional students are those students who graduate from high school but do not go to college immediately after. Traditional students are the opposite and are less likely to receive more help than a non-traditional student because it is assumed that they have parental support.
Unfortunately, once I had completed the FAFSA application with information I thought was correct, the end result was that my guardians made too much money for me to get financial aid.
This situation seems to be the case for many people who want to continue their education but don’t have parental help.
UTM student Mary Ellen Wortham had no issues with her financial aid until after she was divorced, which meant she could no longer file independently because she was still considered too young.
“I went to financial aid on campus for guidance and called the FAFSA hotline and they both said there was nothing I could do except claim my parents and put ‘dependent,’” Wortham said.
In order to put independent on a FAFSA application, according to FAFSA.ed.gov, an applicant “has to be at least 24 years old, married, a part of Armed forces, a ward of the court, emancipated minor, in legal guardianship, homeless, or at risk of being homeless.” The site also says, “If there are special circumstances that prevent an applicant from providing parental information they must provide documentation to the financial aid office at the college to verify their situation.”
Like me, Wortham did not have parental support and that makes matters difficult when coming up with the funds to attend college. It also makes you feel like you’re out of options. However, I looked into some local scholarships and was awarded $1,000 by the Union City Rotary Club.
Like most colleges, Dyersburg State had a deferment plan, and I put myself on a budget so that I could make my payments on time.
During the first year of my education, I researched FAFSA and found the information explained above. I realized that because I had been adopted twice, that made me a ward of the court and made me eligible to be independent the following year on my FAFSA application.
I had to present proof with documentation from the court. I had letters written by my parents to further support my case.
Not only did I receive financial aid, but I also received another Rotary Scholarship, and that motivated me to never take my education or my opportunities for granted.
The one thing I learned about FAFSA is if you do it early, you can change it and come back to it later. FAFSA is a first-come, first-served program, so the earlier it gets done the less stress it will cause later.
