Getting into the AMCAS Fee Assistance with an uncooperative stepparent?

[Ellie Arroway]

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I grew up poor and am still poor. My only currently surviving parent, my mom, has no income due to disability. I have a stepdad now who has never supported me, and they file jointly, and he refuses to give me his tax information or forms. Has anyone managed to get FAP with a circumstance like this? I've been emailing the AAMC and they just repeat that I need his income & forms. Am I on my own?

 

[boko]

that is sooo messed up. how do you submit FAFSA then? its the same information.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I'm 28, so I'm independent for FAFSA purposes. I haven't needed parental information for a FAFSA for a long time. But for AMCAS purposes, as far as I can tell I'd have to put in parental income even if I were 60.

 

[boko]

oh i see. i would suggest calling and speaking to a FAP representitive directly. here is the number if you need it 202-828-0600

hope this helps. good luck.

 

[LifeTake2]

Contact AAMC and ask nicely for help, they will ask you to provide a notarized statement from someone that knows you (personal Dr, pastor, etc) and will attest to your family situation.

They have the ability to remove that requirement...if you truly can't gain the information. But it is not going to be easy.

You mention emailing...are you contacting the FAP office or AAMC general info? The FAP office email is fap at aamc dot com.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I will definitely call them tomorrow and see if it works out better than email. It didn't feel like they read my entire question when I wrote them.

It sounds like I might be screwed...we aren't technically estranged, he's just being a jerk and I don't want to start arguments with him over it because he's taking decent care of my mom and that's been stressing him out a lot. I don't have clergy because I've never been very religious, and my health insurance since age 12 or so has been so spotty that I've never had a consistent personal Dr. since then. So I don't know that I can actually back up anything on paper.

His income is over 300% of the poverty level. When people have parents with money who don't provide financial support, do they usually just take loans to apply?

 

[Isoprop]

if they file jointly, can't you get it from your mom? there's only 1 1040 they file, and your mom has it too.

Edit: oh he makes over the 300% line the entire family? then the point is moot bc you won't qualify for FAP anyway. i don't get a lot of financial support since i'm older, so i used my own savings to apply. it sucks, but that's the way it is.

 

[Ellie Arroway]

I called them. I looks like I am probably on my own. And now for my next trick, I will learn to pull about $1500 out of my hat.

 

[elblackwell]

If you are still in school, you could try applying for small scholarships. At my school, the main student government awards small scholarships to students and one of the categories is financial need.

 

[Kadava Reviva]

If you are still in school, you could try applying for small scholarships. At my school, the main student government awards small scholarships to students and one of the categories is financial need.

If he has adopted you, or has been your legal gardian and you have continuously been in school, you may sue him to pay for your schooling, depending on which state you live in. The usual cut-off age is 23. Talk to legal aid or hire a lawyer for a 1hr consultation for details.

 

[Beekachu]

I'm 28, so I'm independent for FAFSA purposes. I haven't needed parental information for a FAFSA for a long time. But for AMCAS purposes, as far as I can tell I'd have to put in parental income even if I were 60.

I'm sorry that your step-parent is being so uncooperative, but it might be worth the effort to try and resolve the issue because unless you submit parental information on FAFSA, you can't be eligible for need-based grants (and sometimes merit-based scholarships) at most schools. If you don't think you would be eligible for any, then it doesn't matter.

If they file jointly, your mom should be able to contact their tax-guy to request an additional copy to give to you. I don't understand why your step-dad would be so concerned, since it does not affect him in any way for your to get aid for school or applying.