I am 20 years old, currently live on my own, and have since I was 17. Had I known that I would be hitting this "brick wall", so to speak, I would have gotten myself legally emancipated. Unfortunately, I had for-seen no such situation. And so the story begins:

Like I said, I was kicked out of my house at 17 when I came out to my family about being gay. I lived on my own and still do, during which time, I have worked a full time job, and gotten my GED so that I could work, and not have to worry about High School. Now, two and a half years after receiving my GED, I am wanting to get into college and go to school to do something more than call center work. There's only one problem.

I've never met my biological father, nor do I plan on it, but I do know that he owed, or still does owe, a lot of money in back child support. My mother, on the other hand, was in my life the whole time, and still is, but refuses to provide me her income tax information, or any other information that could help me, for that matter. With this said, I cannot get any student loans, as Colorado State requires such information since I am under the age of 23.

Please, someone!! I really NEED to go to school and make something out of myself! But How??

Have you talked with someone in Financial Aid about this? You're over 18 and emancipated now. Why not apply for financial aid on your own merits, based on your own income? You support yourself, don't live with your parents, and aren't supported 50% or more by them, right?

The Federal requirements for independent student status changed in 1992. Since then, the student must satisfy at least one of the following criteria to be considered independent:

-The student is 24 year of age or older by December 31 of the award year.
-The student is an orphan or ward of the court or was a ward of the court until the student reached the age of 18.
-The student is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States.
-The student is a graduate or professional student.
-The student is married.
-The student has legal dependents other than a spouse. (Dependent means receiving more than half the individual's support from the student.)

If the student doesn't satisfy any of these requirements, then the student is automatically a dependent student.

Have you talked with someone in Financial Aid at CO State?

Why CO State? Do you live nearby? Have you visited? Do they have a program you want to get into?

I was hoping you'd respond, but you went offline. I won't return to this site until tomorrow noon or so. If you haven't talked with CSU, I'd certainly start there. They have all sorts of financial helps for someone as industrious and quick-witted as you. And if you long to get into one of their programs, that should also work to your advantage. My sil lives right down the road from CSU. I can ask her to invite you over on weekends.

And why won't your mom help you out with this?

Colorado State because that is where I live. I am wanting to get into Front Range Community College's EMT program, however, the opportunity to go to CSU would be absolutely cherished. I'm not sure why mom won't help. Any chance you get, feel free to email me. I'd love any opportunity to meet with anyone that may help me attain the opportunity I feel I deserve. I'll post my email address here, because I'm not all that worried about other people getting it.

[email protected]

Thank you for your help, Wondergirl! =D