Legal Question in Education Law in Pennsylvania

Emancipation for College attendee aged 18

A friend of mine, currently 18 years old, is trying to attend college. Her mother however is refusing to help financially, my friend does not currently live with her family, and is in fact staying with myself and my wife. My friend would like to consider emancipation in order to be able to receive financial aid independently of her family.

Her college is claiming that you cannot get emancipation for financial aid reasons, is this true?

Is it possible for her to go this route? If so, what steps would need to be taken?


Asked on 1/10/06, 8:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: Emancipation for College attendee aged 18

An 18 year old is, by definition, emancipated. There is nothing to do to become emancipated when you already are.

What the college is referring to has to do with Federal law and regulation regarding eligibility for financial aid, not emancipation.

When you fill out FAFSA form, and the college's financial aid form, they want the income of the parents, etc. If her parents refuse to give her this information, she can say that and show that she does not live there, and claim that she is independent.

She may not get anything in year 1, but I would think that she may be eligible after being out of the house for over a year and parents refuse to give financial info to fill out the forms.

On the FAFSA form or website there should probably be a FAQ link, as well as a phone number to call with questions. Start there.

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Answered on 1/12/06, 2:48 am


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