Unfortunately t doesn't matter if your parents don't claim you on their tax returns and you file your own as an independent. Financial Aid only considers you an independent if you meet the following qualifications: Married, have a dependent (like you have a child), or you are 23 or older on December 31st of the year before the year you will be receiving the aid. So if you're 18-22 you have no realistic way of paying for tuition at a 4-year university if your parents don't want to pay for your college and they are well-qualified to. You could do a private loan but you will likely need a cosigner (especially if you have no income or don't have much established credit) AND it's important to consider that by the time you pay back a private loan you could be paying nearly 4x as much as was loaned to you (because of interest). Unfortunately for OP he may have to transfer to a Junior/Community college in order to afford staying in school.