My father has parkinsons so he hasn't worked for years, my mother worked as a baker for about 2 years, but due to my fathers condition had to give up her 38k gross income job. Note- we don't get welfare, or disability, or anything. In the spring of 2007, I was enrolled in purchase college, in NY, but due to family diffucuties, I wasn't able to pay them their tuition, so I can't go back this semester. I also just got my green card in Feb. Ok, so I'm broke, I work as a server now, and my brother works in retail. We support our family. I have bad credit as a result of all this. BUT I want to goto school, I have my associates and I want to finish my BA (either in education, or Law). Does anyone have any suggestions as to getting fed or state aid in NY for school? Is it possibel to prove myself as a independent considering me and my brother run the house? And since my mothers last years taxes showed 38k, how can I prove that she no longer has an income to help contribute towards school?

I would apply for financial aid by filling out a FAFSA form. That's what the schools use to determine financial aid for students, when you do it, put in you information, not your parents.
You may have to wait until 2008 to do, which means you can save a bit for school. Once you get through all of the paperwork, apply for as many scholarships as you possibly can. See if there's a scholarship for students who have parents with parkinsons.

I'm very sorry to hear about all of the problems that your family has...Life can be cruel!

First of all, keep in mind that LOANS must be paid back, while GRANTS are free money that is yours without paying back anything.

Have you gone in person to speak with someone at the Financial Aid office at Purchase College? Maybe they can help you straighten out last year's tuition and help you in the upcoming semesters.

If, because you couldn't pay the tuition there, perhaps there is another less expensive college nearby? I would go to the Financial Aid office at a college in which you are interested, and explain the situation. Make sure you bring all necessary paperwork (your own info such as birth certificate and so on, as well as any papers that prove your parents' situation) with you.

Another idea is to speak with someone at the U. S. Government office of FAFSA ( Free Application for Financial Student Aid).
For specific questions about the FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-319-337-5665. If you are hearing-impaired and have questions, please contact the TTY line at 1-800-730-8913.

IThe following site has the application, which can be filed online, and you can also type your questions to a live operator (if you'd rather not talk on the phone) when you click on the LIVE HELP button, as mentioned above.

Good Luck!

First, you should receive some money from the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan due to your family income. Secondly, you should have both parent's apply for the Federal Plus Loan, if they are denied, then you are automatically considered for the UN-Subsidized portion of the Stafford Loan as well, the two combined should cover most of your tution.

If a small balance remains, see if your school participates in the "Tution Pay" program offered by SallieMae, which allows you to make monthly payments on any balance.

Vik S you can, come on, all is possible for you. you can!!!!! Vik S you are very pretty person, remember: you can!!!!! I found interesting information about your answer, college loans, scholarships, college grants & partime works here.http://all-student-loan-consolidation.blogspot.com/2007/07/college-loan-consolidation.htmlGood luck!

i wasnt sure if you said how old you age.... anyway if your over 23 years old you can leave out your parents income... and be considered independent. so if you are go back to FAFSA and do the corrections page... one of the questions are if you over 23 do you want to add your parents income say NO. and only answer to your own questions... good luck and lifes a bitch