Fee Assistance Program w/o parent info

[QiasTheKid]

Hi guys,

So after I left home to go to College, I was pretty much independent as far as finances go. Nothing drama worthy haha, but my parents are government workers, and I have a dozen siblings (yes....a dozen). And it was pretty much known to me that if I wanted to go to College, I'd have to do it on my own.

My College was great, paid for literally everything, except room and board, and some study abroads. But, I worked 20 hrs a week all throughout college, and always had enough money to keep me above water.

However, I have barely any savings, so being on that AMCAS Fee Assistance program would be AWESOME.


But I saw that it needs parental info....but my parents don't support me so I was wondering, do I even need to fill that out?

Anyone had experience with this?

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[MrLogan13]

You must fill it out unless you are estranged from your parents. In that case, all you need to do is write your own statement stating that you are estranged from your parents, sign it, have a third party sign it, and then submit it as supporting documentation. Then you can submit the form without filling in the parental information.

 

[QiasTheKid]

You must fill it out unless you are estranged from your parents. In that case, all you need to do is write your own statement stating that you are estranged from your parents, sign it, have a third party sign it, and then submit it as supporting documentation. Then you can submit the form without filling in the parental information.

No, I couldn't do that. My parents are great, and I talk to them almost daily. I just think this is sort of odd because they never paid for my college, nor will they be providing any support for me in the future.

But thanks for your advice!

 

[MrLogan13]

Then, as far as I know, you must fill out that information if you're not estranged. You should probably call them and ask about it.

 

[takeurmeds02]

Yea, this is something I've always had an issue with. Who cares what my parents make if I've been supporting myself since 18.

 

[ridethecliche]

Yeah. No can do. It's a joint form if the family is together.

Works the same way for med school aid fyi.

 

[QiasTheKid]

That's so nuts. I mean, I'll be a 24 year old by then. What 24 year olds ask their parents for money?

 

[kraskadva]

The fee assistance program is based on the federal poverty guidelines. If the family makes under 300% of the federal poverty limit, per the AAMC, then you qualify for FAP. So look up the guidelines (here), calculate up to the family size and multiply by 3 to figure out if your income + your parents income is less than that.
According to my math, with 13 kids + 2 parents, the combined income would have to be >210k for you NOT to qualify for FAP.
With your parents being government workers who can't afford your tuition, I'd be shocked to find out that you couldn't get the assistance.

That's so nuts. I mean, I'll be a 24 year old by then. What 24 year olds ask their parents for money?

Lots of them.

 

[MrLogan13]

That's so nuts. I mean, I'll be a 24 year old by then. What 24 year olds ask their parents for money?

You'd be surprised. I know men in their 30's that still live with their parents.

 

[QiasTheKid]

The fee assistance program is based on the federal poverty guidelines. If the family makes under 300% of the federal poverty limit, per the AAMC, then you qualify for FAP. So look up the guidelines (here), calculate up to the family size and multiply by 3 to figure out if your income + your parents income is less than that.
According to my math, with 13 kids + 2 parents, the combined income would have to be >210k for you NOT to qualify for FAP.
With your parents being government workers who can't afford your tuition, I'd be shocked to find out that you couldn't get the assistance.

Lots of them.

I'm #10! & my parents only have 2 people in the house right now below 18 who they claim as dependents on their taxes

So, I don't know how I'd fare. I definitely don't want to lie on some tax form or financial form related to med school admissions.

 

[QiasTheKid]

You'd be surprised. I know men in their 30's that still live with their parents.

If you're an able bodied adult and you live with your folks at that age, you need some reevaluation. If you're living with your folks for a bit to pay off student loans for a few years out of undergrad, okay, I get that. And really, those are some nice folks to do that for you.

But after 30? C'mon.....

 

[MrLogan13]

If you're an able bodied adult and you live with your folks at that age, you need some reevaluation. If you're living with your folks for a bit to pay off student loans for a few years out of undergrad, okay, I get that. And really, those are some nice folks to do that for you.

But after 30? C'mon.....

Preaching to the choir. I totally agree.

 

[kraskadva]

I'm #10! & my parents only have 2 people in the house right now below 18 who they claim as dependents on their taxes

So, I don't know how I'd fare. I definitely don't want to lie on some tax form or financial form related to med school admissions.

Well call the AAMC then and ask how you should determine family size. If you can get FAP, then great. If you can't, then sorry, them's the breaks.
I've been independent for almost a decade, and would qualify for FAP on my own, but don't with my parent's income factored in. Was it tough to pay for app fees? Sure. Did I ask my folks for a bit of help, since their income kept me from qualifying? Of course I did.