When Kevin Robinson entered Colorado State University he couldn’t get his parents to fill out a student financial aid form, so he used a credit card to pay his $8,000 bill.
Robinson and his parents had split over lifestyle issues, but as far as CSU was concerned, that didn’t make him independent.
It left Robinson in limbo when it came to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA program.
“I really thought I might have to drop out of school and just work,” said Robinson, 23, who is now in his senior year.
This year, for the first time, the federal aid program will allow approved students to submit a form without their parents and receive some aid.
Until now, the only way for a student to submit an application without parental participation was to be declared “independent” by their universities.
“Students are frustrated that they will probably have graduated before they qualify for independent-student status,” said Ofelia Morales, associate director of financial aid at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Independent students must be 24 years old or meet other requirements, such as being married or having legal dependents, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Students who do not meet these requirements and think they are in an unusual circumstance — such as a difficult relationship with their parents — can apply for an override through their school.
Despite working 20 hours a week, Robinson knew he would need more financial support when he transferred to CSU from Front Range Community College in 2007.
After being rejected by five lenders, Robinson charged $8,000 to a credit card with 20 percent interest.
“I do not know how I am going to consolidate my existing loans — I don’t even know if I can,” Robinson said.
In 2007, Robinson went through the little used “override” process, enabling him to get financial aid without his parents’ involvement.
In 2009, 16.4 million students across the country received federal aid, and schools granted 59,156 overrides, according to Department of Education.
The number of overrides in 2009 was up 5 percent over 2008.
While some students may now be approved to file forms without their parents, universities are discouraging the practice because those students will be limited in the aid they can get, said CSU financial aid director Sandy Calhoun.
So far, one CSU student has been approved under the new application; two have been approved at CU; and two at Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Not all students seeking to file without their parents are going to be approved, Calhoun said.
Students are required to contact their financial aid office, Calhoun said.
“We have a lot of tools at our disposal, and we can help,” Calhoun said. “But only if the student talks to us.”
Jordan Steffen:303-954-1638 or jsteffen@denverpost.com