Nontraditional and Financial Aid

[gary5]

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I'm a nontraditional (age 35) and my dad doesn't understand why his financials should be involved in my financial aid applications. It makes sense to me since I haven't been his dependent for 13 years. Does anyone know how this works? Can I apply without my parents' info? What are the ramifications?

 

[efex101]

I am past 35 and applying now, and if you do not include tax return from your parents you will not be eligible for any type of financial aid from the schools or scholarships.

 

[Hethera]

I have a question about something along these lines. My husband is a programmer and makes pretty good money, but since my dad is a preacher and my mom is disabled, my parents make next to nothing. If I was using their financial info instead of my own right now, we'd be talking Pell Grants and need-based scholarships. Would my parents' financial situation be helpful in getting financial aid for medical school, even though my husband and I have been doing all right for ourselves for the last three years?

 

[omores]

Gary5:

As efex correctly pointed out, you need to include parental info to be eligible for school-based aid, though NOT for federal loans, which you're entitled to regardless. Up to you to decide whether it's worth it.

There are some (few) schools that are will to consider you independent after a certain age. Duke does this, as does Stanford.

Hethera:

Given their lack of income and assets, including your parents financial information would likely not affect your situation one way or the other (though you'd have to include it to be eligible for school-based aid). However, you will be required to report both your and your husband's information for medical schools, and that's where they'll get you. So to speak.

 

[mpp]

There is a lot of discussion about this in the Financial Aid forum so check there. Not all schools require parental information for institutional aid.

There is a list kept by the AAMC here that lists schools that require parental information. And for some this may even be conditional on age and other circumstances. Check with the school's financial aid office specifically. My school does not require parental information for institutional aid. No school requires it for Stafford Loans.