What if my parents are unwilling to provide their information on my 2024–25 FAFSA® form?
On the 2024–25 FAFSA form, dependent students have the option to indicate that their parents are unwilling to provide their information and therefore want to apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only. However, if a dependent student doesn’t provide parent information, their eligibility for other types of federal and state student aid can’t be calculated. This means they won’t be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, or a Direct Subsidized Loan.
If your parents are not supporting you and refuse to provide their information or their consent and approval to transfer their federal tax information on your FAFSA form, here’s the process for filling out the FAFSA form online:
- Select “Yes” to the “Are the student’s parents unwilling to provide their information, but the student doesn’t have an unusual circumstance that prevents them from contacting or obtaining their parents’ information” question on the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
- The FAFSA form will be submitted without parent information.
- You must follow up with the financial aid administrator at the college or career/trade school you plan to attend to find out what you need to do next to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only.
Important: If you’re considering following this process, think about this first: If you submit your FAFSA form without parent information, you will not receive a Student Aid Index (SAI). Some state- or school-based aid programs look at the SAI to determine your eligibility for their funds; because you won’t have an SAI, you won’t be considered for those financial aid programs. You could be giving up a chance at many sources of financial aid. So encourage your parents to provide their information—doing so won’t require them to support you in any way, it’ll just help you be considered for as many sources of financial aid as possible.
If you selected to apply for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only by mistake, follow the steps at the link below to change your answer to this question and invite your parent(s) to your form.