Emancipation instead of out-of-state tuition?

[DareTooDream]

How many of you have emancipated a "child" going out of state for college ? I'm wondering what the pros/cons and details are? Thanks for any help.
Sherry

 

[CarolA]

It's not easy. Basically the child has to be fully independent of you. So you can provide NO support. If your child is living in another state and supporting themself then MAYBE they can get this done. If you contribute NO WAY! LOL!

 

[hncg57c]

Is your child planning on going to a state college in another state than from where you live? If so, one of the benefits of being declared independent is that he/she could probably qualify for the in-state tuition rate after living in that state for a year. On the other hand, one con is that your child cannot be under your medical insurance, which means that he/she will have to have their own medical insurance.

I don't really know too much about this, but I know someone that was hoping to get the in-state tuition rate after a year of living in the state. But, I think she has to prove that she is independent and that she is a permanent resident of that state.

 

[ladysoleil]

How many of you have emancipated a "child" going out of state for college ? I'm wondering what the pros/cons and details are? Thanks for any help.
Sherry

I considered legal emancipation when I was in my late teens and decided against it. Also, how old is the child- once you're 18, you're already legally emancipated, so you can't just do that to get college aid. The college will tell you that you're already emancipated and you have to prove your full ability to live independently and support yourself- tax forms, notarized statements from a landlord certifying that you live on your own, statements from a parent saying you've disowned your kid, proof of income, or whatever else the college asks you for.

I was unable to do that, for various reasons, and I ended up losing a full scholarship to the school. I was told by the school that substantiated charges of abuse/neglect are among the few commonly acceptable grounds for independence for financial aid purposes, FWIW.

I don't know how true that is, but they make it difficult because they want parents paying "their share". Maybe they were trying to scare me, but I couldn't even consider that as a viable option.

Keep in mind that your child must be under 18, must live on their own, and you cannot provide any financial support whatsoever. Really, if they catch you, it's fraud, which can result in aid being revoked and repayable immediately, as well as expulsion and other unpleasant things. I got warned about that, too.

It's a double-edged sword on that one though, because you also can't get public assistance if you're under 18 and don't have a legal guardian in most states. Which means normally that they can't apply to your state's health insurance fund, or food assistance, and I think no unemployment, either.

You also lose the right to make medical and legal decisions for your child. That could be a biggie- your minor child can legally now join the military, sign a legal contract, get credit cards, decline needed medical treatment, get married, or have an abortion in many states, and you legally have no right to know or intervene anymore. Your kid can drop out of school without your consent, too.

I would say that terminating your parental rights isn't something you should do without serious consideration if your child is actually a minor.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Lisa_M]

When DH and I were engaged and living in Pennsylvania, his family was in Ohio. Even though we paid for everything ourselves, everything, his school still required him to record his parents financial information on the FAFSA forms. It's unfortunate, but the federal governement requires parents income to be reported for students age 23 and under when seeking an undergraduate degree.

Don't risk trying to get around the system, that is why it is so strict now. Too many people lying to get a free or reduced cost degree.

If you can't/don't want to afford the out of state tuition, have your daughter attend an in-state school.

 

[Plantlady]

Even though we paid for everything ourselves, everything, his school still required him to record his parents financial information on the FAFSA forms. It's unfortunate, but the federal governement requires parents income to be reported for students age 23 and under when seeking an undergraduate degree.

.

I don't think this is entirely true. Perhaps it was because you were engaged, and not married.

I was married at the age of 19. I never had to report my parents' income on the FAFSA forms once I became married.

I did have to take a break from school for one year, after I became married, so that I could become a resident of Kansas, and pay in-state tuition.

(I switched majors, my original major qualified me for in-state, even though I was not from Kansas... so, it was not my getting married that caused me to have to take a one year break from school, it was my switching majors.. just to clarify.)

 

[lovemygoofy]

Depending on how high the SAT/ACT scores are, alot of universities will waive out of state tution fees.

 

[HaleyB]

Depending on how high the SAT/ACT scores are, alot of universities will waive out of state tution fees.

This is true.

Is your child already decided on where they want to go?

I am constantly telling parents to encourage their child to apply to well funded private schools. Look for schools that cover 100% of the funding "gap". Our son goes to a very good private school for the same amount of money that it would have cost for us to send him to a State University. Maybe a little less.

FASFA has guidelines for an "independent" student. I don't think legal emancipation would cover it. Many states now require you live and work in the state for two years to qualify for in state tuition.

 

[Lisa_M]

I don't think this is entirely true. Perhaps it was because you were engaged, and not married.

I was married at the age of 19. I never had to report my parents' income on the FAFSA forms once I became married.

I did have to take a break from school for one year, after I became married, so that I could become a resident of Kansas, and pay in-state tuition.

(I switched majors, my original major qualified me for in-state, even though I was not from Kansas... so, it was not my getting married that caused me to have to take a one year break from school, it was my switching majors.. just to clarify.)

Yes I know that if we were married it would have changed things, I probably should have added that. Either way, we were both self-sufficient and not relying on our parents for support or educational contributions, but still had to include their income.

 

[lovemygoofy]

This is true.

Is your child already decided on where they want to go?

I am constantly telling parents to encourage their child to apply to well funded private schools. Look for schools that cover 100% of the funding "gap". Our son goes to a very good private school for the same amount of money that it would have cost for us to send him to a State University. Maybe a little less.

FASFA has guidelines for an "independent" student. I don't think legal emancipation would cover it. Many states now require you live and work in the state for two years to qualify for in state tuition.

I went to a private university and received tons of inhouse scholarships. It all paid for my tuition, room&board,books and a little spending money for all 4 years. I always encourage people to look at private schools because endowments are usually bigger which can lead to more grants and scholarships.

 

[m&m's mom]

One of the first and biggest hurdles to becoming "independent" for Financial Aid is to not be declared on your parents income tax as dependents.

I had a parent paying taxes in the state of Texas for 18 years but because my Mom claimed me on her taxes in NM I had to pay out of state tuition in TX.
I had to spend a year w/out anyone declaring me, being "gainfully employed" and could only go to school part time during that year (at out-of-state tuition rates) before I could be declared a resident of Texas.
I do not know what emancipation would have to do w/ it. The person still has to be in the state for a year to pay in-state tuition. The college/university may also waive some of the fees if someone has certain scholarships.
In my case, my Dad was the VP of the Univ I went to and I still had to pay out-of-state tuition for a year.

 

[mrsklamc]

I was a financial aid administrator by profession until just a few weeks ago. I cannot tell you about out of state tuition because we did not charge out of state tuition. However, in terms of federal aid, the ONLY things that make you independent of your parents income information are:

1. Having a bachelor's degree already.
2. Being 24 before Jan 1.
3. Having children who receive more than half their support from you.
4. Being an orphan or ward of the court.
5. Being a veteran or active military.
6. Being married.

Receiving no support does not matter in the eyes of the Dept. of Ed, unfortunately. AND they expect you to contribute half of what they consider your 'discretionary income,' to your child's college education. Really stinks for those of us who received NO support from our parents.

 

[MrsPete]

What you're really asking is whether you can get away with defrauding the financial aid system. The answer is no.

The system is strongly biased towards college students who are financially dependant upon their parents. MANY students of typical college age (18-24) are receiving no support from their parents, and they still cannot get the aid for which they'd be eligible if all the checks weren't in place to make sure no one does what you're attempting. Basically, you're dependent until you jump through 100 hoops to prove you're not.

I was one of those students. My parents had serious financial difficulties, and they were not able to pay anything towards my college education -- they would've refused anyway because they were of the belief that you appreciate what you earn, not what you're given. I was not allowed to live in their house after high school graduation, and they would not co-sign for me to buy a car (which greatly limited the jobs from which I could choose). They did provide health insurance for me, and that was helpful when I needed my wisdom teeth out during college.

At one point, I went over to the financial aid office to talk to them about it. I showed them my financial aid forms, my W2s, etc. and I asked them what I could do to qualify for more aid. They basically told me that I was NOT self-sufficient because no one could possibly live on what I'd earned the previous year. It didn't matter that I lived in a two-bedroom apartment with five people, and that the most support I received from my parents was the occasional use of their washing machine. It didn't matter that I stole food from the cafeteria during the week so I could eat on weekends. I was typical college age and I was off the financial charts so -- in their eyes -- I was lying.

Why are students who are really supporting themselves treated this way? Because so many people try to do just what you're suggesting: they try to cheat the system.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

In Fl you have to live here a year to establish residency before even being eligible. They are "on" to folks who want to say they are residents but aren't. So that requirement is for everybody.

Whatever state you are considering might have the same requirement, so the first you most likely will be out of state tuition.

 

[DareTooDream]

Thank you all for your input and information!

What you're really asking is whether you can get away with defrauding the financial aid system. The answer is no.

.................................

Why are students who are really supporting themselves treated this way? Because so many people try to do just what you're suggesting: they try to cheat the system.

I said nothing about financial aid or cheating the system and I did not mean to imply anything like that! Perhaps I asked my question the wrong way - perhaps emancipation and out-of-state tuition don't go hand in hand, maybe emancipation only goes hand in hand with federal aid - I don't know - that's why I'm here asking for info. Forgive my ignorance. My son mentioned emancipation since he wants to go out of state (his grades are average so not much hope for scholarships -at least big ones). I apologize if I offended anyone.

 

[Michie]

I am confused by what you mean as emancipate!

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

Does your state even offer emancipation?? I know that in NH, there is no emancipation.

 

[Coolio]

My son mentioned emancipation since he wants to go out of state (his grades are average so not much hope for scholarships -at least big ones). .

i would suggest telling him "too bad, so sad". emancipation will not qualify him for in-state tuition at whatever college he is looking at. it will also not qualify him for the ultimate in financial aid. i'm not sure what he's expecting to gain...many states don't offer emancipation and it's only for minors (which most college students are not)

 

[graygables]

However, in terms of federal aid, the ONLY things that make you independent of your parents income information are:

1. Having a bachelor's degree already.
2. Being 24 before Jan 1.
3. Having children who receive more than half their support from you.
4. Being an orphan or ward of the court.
5. Being a veteran or active military.
6. Being married.

Receiving no support does not matter in the eyes of the Dept. of Ed, unfortunately. AND they expect you to contribute half of what they consider your 'discretionary income,' to your child's college education. Really stinks for those of us who received NO support from our parents.

We discussed emancipating my older 2, but learned it would NOT have changed anything as far as their tuition goes. You want an even BETTER one??? There is NOWHERE on the FAFSA for self-employed income. The line they require is always a 0 on ours, so we ALWAYS get audited.

 

[mrsklamc]

Also, I'm not a legal expert, but don't you have to prove to a judge why the child would be better off emancipated?

OP, I'm sure you're a good mom so this may not be an option for you anyway...