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FAFSA and the Independent Student
By Mike Pugh
June 03, 2008
“I am a college sophomore and I pay for school myself. For the last two years, I have used my parents’ tax information on the FAFSA. Since I pay for school myself without any help from my parents, should I list only my own tax information to be eligible for more aid?”
This is a common question about the FAFSA: When and why must a student include parents’ financial information when applying for federal aid? The answer has to do with whether you qualify as an independent or a dependent student.
Dependent vs. Independent
In the federal government’s eyes, all students are considered primarily responsible for funding their higher education. But the government also recognizes that most parents contribute financially on some level. Parents provide assistance whether they’ve been saving for years to fund their child’s degree or simply provide housing while their children study.
Taking this into account, the federal government applies two different standards for students, one for dependent students and one for independent students. Dependent students are assumed to have parental support while independent students are not. The result: Independent students might qualify for more aid.
Being considered an independent student is not merely a matter of being responsible for your own educational expenses. You must meet at least one of the following seven criteria to be declared an independent student for the purposes of the FAFSA:
- Be 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year;
- Be an orphan (both parents deceased), ward of the court, or was a ward of the court until the age of 18;
- Be a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States;
- Be a graduate or professional student;
- Be a married individual;
- Have legal dependents other than a spouse;
- Be a student for whom a financial aid administrator makes a documented determination of independence by reason of other unusual circumstances.
Changing Your Status
Dependent students may change their status, but it’s not easy. You start by filing a Dependency Review Form; request one from your school. You also must provide documentation explaining your situation. Your case is then reviewed by a committee or financial aid office at your college.
Keep in mind that most students will not qualify for a change in status. Circumstances tend to be extreme (such as abandonment or physical abuse) to warrant the change. Simply residing in your own apartment or house is not adequate justification.
If you think you have unusual circumstances that would qualify you as an independent, speak with a financial aid administrator at your school.
Tips for Filing as an Independent Student
If you do qualify as an independent student, follow these tips:
- Don’t forget to complete the section that asks you for the number of people in your household. Be sure to include yourself.
- Filing as an independent student doesn’t always mean that you can leave the parent section of the FAFSA blank. “Check first with the school before submitting your FAFSA. Some may want parental information on the FAFSA and/or on other forms, such as the CSS PROFILE form or the school’s own aid application,” Kalman A. Chany, Founder and President of Campus Consultants Inc. says. For example, graduate health profession students may be required to provide parental data even if they are independent.
- When filing as an independent, your school may ask you to submit proof before allowing any federal student aid. Have your documentation ready to avoid delays.
If you think you may qualify, discuss your status with your financial aid officer and file early to maximize your chances of getting financial aid.
CharlesS932
3 days ago
Best thing is to prove to the financial aid person that you are a independent , as in if you living on your own and such have the bills and receipts to prove it . that's what this part of the wording means, and unusual circumstances
"Keep in mind that most students will not qualify for a change in status. Circumstances tend to be extreme (such as abandonment or physical abuse) to warrant the change. Simply residing in your own apartment or house is not adequate justification.
If you think you have unusual circumstances that would qualify you as an independent, speak with a financial aid administrator at your school. "
i know of one person that is how she got by for getting the aid for school cause she lived on her own for 2 years after her husband left her, so its all in , the proof of your independent standing. or unusual circumstances.
norahh007
13 days ago
i like in the US, but my parents live in mexico, i'm 19, and dont talk to my parents. can i be determened as independent?
JosiahF12
14 days ago
It sucks that I have to give my education credits to my parents when they haven't paid a dime for my education. They get a break while I bust my chops working for my future. The only thing they provide is a roof, but even then I have to pay "catch up rent" as soon as I'm out of college. So not only will I be in debt with school, I'll "owe" my parents $14,400 in "catch up rent" for living in their house through college.
chelsers47
about 1 month ago
My only option is to get married or waste three years of my life until I'm 24. I could be getting so much accomplished but I'm only wasting time. My parents will not help me at all. I pay bills and have a dead end job that really will not get me anywhere either. Really thinking about getting married just to get somewhere in life.
lilly1012
about 1 month ago
I've lived with my fiance for over a year and I put myself as independent bt they still asked for my parents taxes i and gave me my fasfa money for school based on my parents income and i only received $500! I want to file again bt in Oct of 2011 i had to declared my self bankrupt so i dont have money to pay for school bt Im scared they are going to do the same thing, give me so little just because they are basing off my parents income! What do i do? Im 19 by the way
highchair
about 1 month ago
Could international students get this help also?
almeidam
about 1 month ago
If your Federal Loans are not cutting it, please look into Scholarships, Grants, and Private Loans. If you can't get free money, Private Loans are your best bet; what else are you paying off once you get a job?
Bikerboy108
about 1 month ago
ulbeing a former guidance counselor in NJ ...where there is a will there's a way. Go to Community College either fl or part time for the first 2 years of your education while you work( you will receive an associates degree that may even get you a raise where you work). Then transfer to a state school where they have to accept all your credits. If you go part time you can continue to work or full time if you don't need to. Two more years and you have your degree. NJ also will loan you whatever you need to pay for tuition....!!
DesyraO
about 1 month ago
If similar situations, as described in others posts, in your home happen to those of you who are under 18 yrs old or I believe until you're 21 and you're not living w/your parents you can apply to be 'emancipated' through the city courts in which you live.
Once you are awarded emancipation, it is a legal document showing that you are independant of your parents in all ways.
Google ' Steps to getting emancipated', read the links and follow the steps, it doesn't cost that much to go through the court steps. "Just do it, and don't put it off"
By doing this it will show that you are 'independent' of your parents when it comes time to file for student aid.
My son's gf lives w/us presently and is planning to attend a city college out of state, I have encouraged her to apply to be emancipated because once you start applying for grants and loans for school it will be harder to prove your independence.
SalaMelander
3 months ago
I moved out when I turned 18 because I was both emotionally and physically abused. I became an independent because I wanted to further my education and make something of myself, something my parents would not allow. I got accepted into a great college, but unfortunately I am unable to pay for my education because I don't have a cosigner to take out a student loan, and scholarships are hard to come by. I wish there could be some other option out there that could really help my financial problems. I may not be able to attend this college next semester because I am unable to pay the last bit of my fines. I can't tell you how hard it is to work so hard on my own to achieve all that i have, only to have my account on hold because I am not able to pay my bills. i worked so hard to have a reason for my parents to see that I am capable of greater things, yet I am only proving them right.
JanaeS20
3 months ago
I’m shaking my head at the ignorant people who don’t know what it is like to struggle to find financial aid. I have a job, and go to school part time (I would be full time if I could afford it), and pay for school out of my own pocket because I don’t have a choice! I'm not looking for a hand out nor am I mad at my parents because they could not help me with paying for school. My parents had six kids to raise, my parents refused to let us go hungry so my parents went back to school got their degrees, provided for us and now they have to pay back the loans that they received for school. They simply could not afford for me and my two sisters to all go to college at the same time AND pay back their school loans including the never ending bills. All I'm asking for is a LOAN of some sort, but because my parents are a part of the middle class I CAN’T HAVE HELP WITH SCHOOL? Where does that make sense? I'm 22 and I feel like the Government awards you for all the wrong reasons, you have to have a child, (and most of my generation are having children out of wedlock, no thanks!) you have to be married (not ready yet), be a vet, be 24 years old and so on. You have to have a special circumstance if all the others do not apply to you. Ok my parents didn’t kick me out of their house or disown me nor did they beat me so because I had a great relationship with my parents I CAN’T GET financial aid??? How does this make sense? Obviously I don’t have a college degree but I don’t get where these factors are determining our independency qualifications. Its hard having a plan but having one constant thing set you back from achieving your goal. I graduated in 2007 and have seen many of my friends graduate and go on to the next stage in their life, while I am stuck at stage one! I feel like my only other option is to wait two more years and watch life pass me by and work a job instead of advancing in a career. During the time I’ve learned that life is unfair and just because you graduate from high school, your parents are successful, and you have your future planned out doesn’t mean that everything will go the way you think it will. I just think that the standards should be re-evaluated. I may be 24 by the time this happens but at least the next person like me will have a chance and not have to waste 4-5 years of working a job and can actually start their career.
kjsingh1991
4 months ago
Wow! This reallt Helped! Thanks!
Babygirl88g
5 months ago
Sing up For FAFSA for 2012 go to college in alexander city cacc college
lawayneharris
6 months ago
If you are homeless or placeless. Can you still be Independent?
DAnsah6
6 months ago
Hey guys! It is evident that you all are not alone. Sign this petition and lets make a difference together! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/newfafsa/