Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is essential for getting federal student grants. Colleges also use it to determine your financial aid package. Your parents must fill this out, so ask them to do it, even if they are saying that they won't pay for college. Although this form will let the government know about your parents' assets, the situation may not be as bad as you think and you may still qualify for grants.
Maximize your aid eligibility. During the sophomore year of high school, parents should try to reduce assets by paying off other important costs. For example, the assets could be used to pay off debt or be transferred to a 529 plan, which the government doesn't use to determine financial aid.
Apply to the right schools. Some parents will mistakenly tell their child to apply only to low-cost schools. Unfortunately, these schools do not have as much money to offer to students. High-cost private schools, on the other hand, have large endowments, which the schools use to give grants.
Look for merit-based grants or scholarships. While many grants are need-based, you can find some that are based on your merit, such as academic, music or sports scholarships. Some schools offer these scholarships, but you can also find them through private organizations.
Explain any special circumstances to the college financial aid counselor. Colleges aren't often able to adjust a financial aid package just because your parents are unwilling to pay for college. However, through a process called "professional judgment," the counselor may be able to make adjustments if your FAFSA doesn't take something like a recent unemployment or death in the family into consideration.