Interesting how many different standards for adulthood there are.
According to the court of law, one can serve hard time in state prisons at age 18. According to our government, 18 is the age in which one is to be held responsible to their actions.
Consequently, this responsibility for men entails the threat of being sent off to war. Granted, the draft has since be instituted, however there would not be much law to prevent the reinstitution. Basically, it is a possibility, not now I think, but the future holds much.
But wait, a meager three years later one can now have the responsibility to consume alcohol. As if it weren't interesting enough that we can be tried as an adult for underaged drinking at 18, because we are apparently adults but not enough so that we can drink yet. Here is my main point...(I am not trying to argue that drinking age should be younger because I want to go to bars, I can wait, I have a bigger message here!).
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid tells me that I am not an adult until I am 24.
Wow, what an interesting claim! I can drink beers in bars, get arrested, and get drafted yet I am still not capable of self sufficiency by the standards of the IRS!
I came across this startling discovery when I tried to put my own income on my FAFSA form (my parents are all wealthy and won't help me out through school, so I wanted to try to be eligible for SOME type of need based aid) and I was told that I can only be considered "self-sufficient" by the FAFSA when I am 24.
How incredible is that?! When I am 18 I can receive government funding when I am in jail (I need to be fed!), and if I got drafted the government would have no problem with equipping me with the top of the line combat equipment. No expense spared there. However, when I need money in order to get through college there are expectations all of the sudden. The free ride stops there.
I guess I am just feeling a little disenfranchised by the system at this point. Being a white male with not one, but two wealthy families (my parents are divorced and remarried) is looking to be my downfall. I do know that as a white male, things do tend to come easier in some respects, just not this one. It's tough to do this on my own with a little help from my family (which I am grateful for) and no help from the government. Especially when I am apparently an adult with all the responsibilities in this country!
I agree! it's stupid that the FAFSA makes everyone, as in Legal adults, claim their parents' income.
~Violinstef
It totally sucks. FAFSA is so unrealistic too. I live with my dad and stepmom, but between them and the previous marriages there are a grand total of 6 of us children, and only my dad works. Yet somehow FAFSA thinks that my dad can provide basically my entire tuition, and I didn't even qualify for work-study through my school until my junior year! All they do is take your data and plug it into a formula, when really what should happen is that this should be taken on an individual basis for assesment.
For instance, my parents will have 3 children in college at the same time in a few years--2 brothers are 14 and my sister is 12. If they assessed that my dad could spend his life savings putting me through college, how is he supposed to pay for 3 at once? and then another a little while down the road?
If I hadn't had a college fund, I would have not been able to afford college. Hands down.
Hug a musician, they never get to dance.
The FAFSA does compensate for those who are in college, maybe you missed something. Also people make the mistake of including monies in long term savings accounts, these do not HAVE to be included when they ask how much you have in the bank.
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Who told us that we ought to be walking in a straight line keeping the peace? The Bible is full of risk-takers, people who took a look around and said HEY this isn't right!
It has some tips for formatting that will make your post more possible to read.
As far as the FAFSA is concerned. If you can prove that you are truly self sufficient, and that your parents aren't as much as looking in your direction, you can talk to your schools financial aid adviser. There are ways for them to help you be declared independent, but this is for pretty extreme cases.
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Who told us that we ought to be walking in a straight line keeping the peace? The Bible is full of risk-takers, people who took a look around and said HEY this isn't right!
That is so not right. I had three children when I was 24 and had been married for 6 years. I was SOOO adult by then. There needs to be a space to identify what your life is. If you do not live at home, and are past the legal adult age, you should be able to claim you are supporting yourself. Duh.
Amazing the way that thing works. I'm 18, I work, and I do live at home. BUT - my mom really doesn't make that much, and has three other kids, one of which is an infant, who goes to daycare, which is incredibly expensive. Did I mention I pay my fair share of the rent and grocery money? I am essentially independent, but since I still live with mommy, my financial aid is based off how much she makes, even though she won't be giving me a cent.
I don't need drugs - I have genetics.
The whole money for college thing really blows. In Denmark, students are paid to go to school. Ahh, Europe.
It is pretty stupid that you have to claim your parent's income on the FAFSA. My parents don't make anywhere near enough to help me pay for college and survive themselves so I get none of their income. Yet, every dollar they DO make is counted against me in the search for financial aid. It makes absolutely no sense. Especially since I'm still required to file my own taxes and carry on all the other unpleasantries, financial and otherwise, of being an adult.
"I have learnt silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers."
- Kahlil Gibran
People don't like to give out money, that's for sure.
But seriously, the double...triple? Standards the government has for "adult" age pisses me off!! AHHHHHH
Listen:
I'm 19. I have/do drink, but very, very rarely (like once or twice a year). I want to be able to buy alcohol so bad, not because I want to abuse it, but on principle. If at 18 I'm an adult, then I am adult enough to consume alcohol. If I'm not, then don't draft me or say I'm an adult. It is really aggravating, especially when I've spent some time in Europe and gotten to experience the leniency of the drinking laws there. It's amazing Italy isn't in flames with no drinking age.
Okay, so not being able to get money from FASFA is a much bigger deal, but the principle is the same. If you are an adult, and have the responsibility of an adult and are expected to behave as an adult, you should get all the rights of an adult.
I'm too immature to drink, but I can pick the president.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/monsters (stop on by!)
My outlook on it is: lower the drinking age, raise the driving age, install good public transportation. Basically, be a bit more like Europe in that aspect.
What also makes me angry is that when you're 18 you are legally able to take care of a child (lets say if your parents die and you "adopt" your younger siblings) but you are not allowed to take that child to a rated R movie? You must be 21 to do that....is it that serious? I think if you're able to be drafted, tried as an adult etc. you should be able to take a child to a rated R movie.
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"Most intellects do not believe in God, but they fear us just the same." - Erykah Badu
Voting is the first step to support higher education.
But you definitely made an interesting point, how different systems can manipulate "the adult age" to their advantage.
Will this country ever learn that college degrees is not only the key to a prosperous economy but Americas progression intellectually, technologically and integrity?
Someone from New Zealand made an interesting point about American legal ages. He pointed out that while an 18 year old girl may not drink a beer, she can have sex with it on camera for money, and I might add she could do this the day after she was drafted and the day before she was capitally punished. Hmm. I guess bitching about it doesn't help though.... well.... back to apathy, then! :-p