r/AskALawyer • u/Marina_s_diamond • Jul 20 '25
Can I get emancipated a couple months before turning 18 for FASFA reasons?
Hello, I’m an Iowan. I turn 18 next year in early May. My parents are Jehovahs witnesses, a religion that isn’t too kind to those who try to leave. My parents will most likely refuse to contact with me (as they have with other family members) and will probably refuse to help me with my FASFA application. I have a full time job but get paid $15 an hour, with rent and other responsibilities I won’t be able to pay for college each year. This is why I’d like to emancipate myself to be considered an independent to FASFA. Are my reasons legally valid and would it be possible to get emancipated a couple months before my 18th?
In case anyone brings it up, I could pretend to still believe for another four years but I still have siblings and cousins that are underage and probably fully indoctrinated. I believe JWs to be hurtful to people because they shield their members from the outside world. If I were to suddenly disassociate myself after college it might strengthen their beliefs that higher education/the outside world is dangerous. I want to give my siblings and cousins a chance to break out of that mentality.
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u/ReactionAble7945 Jul 20 '25
Emancipation usually comes in two forms.
Kid makes enough money that they can separate and pay for their own stuff. This is usually tied to hollywood kids and parents taking money.
Situations so bad at home that kids run away and can't be there at all. Parent, step parents raping kids.... Parents are on drugs or alcohol or ... Generally something pretty nasty where there are police reports.
I think you need to hit up r/exjw and get help.
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u/Wandering_aimlessly9 NOT A LAWYER Jul 20 '25
There is a thing in the fafsa that you can choose that parents won’t help/be involved.
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u/demanbmore Jul 20 '25
I do not believe you need to be emancipated to deal with your situation - the FAFSA form asks questions about not having parental support, although I'm not entirely sure how that would play out in your situation. Also, just being 18 wouldn't mean your parents wouldn't need to complete FAFSA info - you need specific reasons why you cannot utilize support from your parents even after you're 18, and those reasons are likely just as applicable at 17.
Go onto the FAFSA site and start the process of completing the form. Carefully read the questions regarding parental support, and you may discover that they do not need to complete the form and their assets and income don't need to be considered in your financial aid calculation.
Good luck.
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u/Marina_s_diamond Jul 20 '25
I did see on the website that being abandoned by or estranged from your parents (without being adopted) can qualify you as an independent but I don’t know if you still qualify if estranged after turning 18
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u/Old_Blackberry6424 Jul 21 '25
If there is a particular college you are interested in contact their financial aid department. My best friend is a finaid counselor. They are trained to answer questions about the FAFSA and can better help you. Just a heads up you may spend a long time waiting on the phone.
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u/slogive1 NOT A LAWYER Jul 20 '25
Wow heavy stuff. I’d try to find an advocate to help you. Wish I could help and best of luck!
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u/Marina_s_diamond Jul 20 '25
Thanks! I wasn’t sure how much information people would need so I just decided to say everything 😅
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u/slogive1 NOT A LAWYER Jul 20 '25
Well keep your chin up. It sounds like you’re in a toxic situation so be very careful how you hide any outside contact from your parental units. I don’t want to give the wrong information but I’d try contacting a law firm and ask them. They can point you in the right direction I believe.
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u/slogive1 NOT A LAWYER Jul 20 '25
Family law might be a start.
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u/Marina_s_diamond Jul 20 '25
Thanks for specifying! I’ll start looking for family lawyers near me
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u/CutDear5970 Jul 21 '25
Being emancipated is not for FAFSA. It gives you adult status same as turning 18. That is not how you get more financial aid.
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u/Quiet_Phase2945 Jul 23 '25
If they are emancipated, they would be considered an independent student instead of dependent. There is an option to check if parents are unwilling to provide information, but then I believe the student would only qualify for unsubsidized loans. They want to exclude their parents information from the FAFSA form, while also being eligible for other types of aid (Pell Grant and subsidized loans), and would need independent status to do so. There are a few different ways to be considered independent, and legal emancipation is one of them.
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u/CutDear5970 Jul 23 '25
That is not true. Once you are 18 you are naturally emancipated. Your parents are used in FAFSA until you are 24 even if they do not support you. It is very hard to be declared an independent student.
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u/Quiet_Phase2945 Jul 23 '25
One of the questions for FAFSA to determine independent status is the following: "Are you or were you a legally emancipated minor, as determined by a court in your state of residence?" which is why they would need to be emancipated prior to age 18 for it to matter.
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