I agree with Olivia. Plus, your dad brought you to this world, i think it very much is his duty to help you out in situations like this - not make you feel stupid. Good luck.

Say that you're going to school because you aren't worthless and stupid, that by having him help you with this step, you are going to be the responsible, mature, educated person that eventually doesn't need his help.

Does he actually HAVE money? My father's income was taken into account when I applied for financial aid, and despite the fact that his medical bills prevented my parents from helping me much, they STILL expected a huge contribution from them. I had to quit school because of it.

I'm pretty sure that for FAFSA, they stop taking your parents' income into account when you're 24. So you can do what I'm doing (wait) or you can take some loans ( ). If your father isn't willing to give you money, he isn't willing to give you money. It can't hurt to tell him, "well, this is the contribution my school expects you to make", but whether that will do any good or not, well, only he knows. Good luck, sweetie.

I think you should sit down with him and explain all the reasons why you want to go to college: i.e. To get X job, to be happy, to learn things, to be proud of myself, to get a degree, to make him proud etc in a rational and calm manner and talk it over with him. Then ask if he could please help you out by contributing some money towards it. If he says no he says no but so what? You might be able to talk him round, even just as a 'personal loan' to you which while it's not the best option it may work.
Otherwise maybe bank loans, or work for a while until you save up enough to start going to college/turn 24?
good luck!

Your dad's a jerk and an idiot for making you feel worthless for wanting to go to school. Maybe it's old-fashioned to believe that it's a parent's duty to save as much as possible for their child's education, but even if it doesn't happen (for whatever reason), it is beyond low to tell your child it was their responsibility from the start. Especially if he never communicated that to you before.

Approach it as Olivia suggested, but first don't forget to talk to someone knowledgeable at your financial aid office about exactly what procedures/paperwork you need to go through to declare your financial independence from him. You might also need to consider loans, both school and bank ones.

... and good luck. You should make it a point to succeed in school just to piss him off.


[Edited on Sep 08, 2005 8:20AM]

Heh. DP.

[Edited on Sep 08, 2005 8:19AM]

Olivia said it very concisely.

HAve him sign papers proving that he won't assist you. Explain that he is preventing you from going to college because of his income and refusal to assist. Then reapply for FAFSA. Maybe in the meantime you can save up some cash to pay for living expenses because FAFSA doesn't cover much beyond tuition. If you still live with your parents, start paying your own tuition if you can and count yourself lucky.

Your parents aren't obligated to pay for your college, so don't feel like you've been victimized. It's really easy to start pitying yourself, but don't.

I know, at my school, that wouldn't matter for anything. They don't take such considerations into account. I just wanted to clarify that this might not help.

Obviously good advice, but I just wanted to add that some schools will cover a great deal beyond tuition. I have food, health insurance, travel, books, etc. covered. Definitely depends on the school.

FAFSA is an application for federal financial aid. It gets you money from the government. It doesn't matter which school.

[Edited on Oct 16, 2005 by Thistle]