Do I have to use my parent's income tax to get Financial Aid?

I am currently thinking about attending a private college. I was told that I would need my parents income tax to get financial aid (I am under 24). However, I do not have any contact with my parents and I would have no way of getting that information.
How can I get financial aid without their help?

You can try to claim independent status, but that is a tricky process. You should contact the financial aid office of the school you plan to attend and ask them what would be the best way to go about bypassing your parent's tax information. Your best bet is to get in touch with the school's financial aid office.

The responsibility of going to college is put on the student and the parent, which is why if you are under 24 you are required to use your parents tax returns. You should call the financial aid office and ask them what to do.

Go talk to the Financial Aide at the school that you plan on attending.

You can talk to the financial aid office of the specific school to get authoritative information.

Generally, you can declare yourself to be independent of your parents and you don't have to worry about any of that information.

If you have been emancipated for a certain amount of time, you can apply under your own right. Check with a financial aid counselor at the college, and here's a tip, don't go to a student, get an actual counselor. Peace.

if your parents have no financial responsibility (you are financily independent) then you would not need their income tax...but you'd have to prove you are independent (that's what the 24 age limit is referring to - financial independence)

You only need your's parents income tax records if you are being listed by them as a dependant on their return. If you are not a dependant, then you can apply for aid without their help.

if you can show that you are supporting yourself (work, tax records, etc.) then you only have to disclose your income, not theirs

For financial aid purposes, if you have not been claimed by your parents as a dependent on their tax returns for the past 4 years then you will be able to use your own financial information in completing your FAFSA and school-required paperwork.

However, if you've been claimed at any time in those past 4 years of tax returns, then you'll have to find a way to obtain that tax info.

if u take care of urself u shouldn't need to but if u have a guardan u prob. will for soem reason the magic "24" has something to do w/ maturity in the educational system for some reason especially if u don't have a kid...

Give this information to your parents:


Source(s):
http://www.salliemae.com ( For student loans)!!!!

http://www.iefa.org -------> International Students on the web <----

http://www.about.com --->Great search engine and information site for everything <---

http://www.ed.gov/index.jhtml --> Dept. of Education for any questions<--

http://www.fastweb.com

http://www.gocollege.com

http://www.collegeboard.com

http://www.scholarships.com

http://www.walmartfoundation.org

Please go to the Department of Education for more help and a list of student loan foundations.