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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.
TerrieE5
6 days ago
I filled out the FAFSA, although it didn't qualify me. As an adult who had a job that ended last year the income was still too high, but there was no way to take into consideration that I have two grown kids 20 and 25, who do not live with me, (I had to kick them out when they stopped going to school) but I am still filtering money to them to help them on a regular basis. I am behind on my tuition payment because I couldn't get a loan. I have been searching Fastweb since 2004, for my self and others, but have never been accepted for any scholarship or found any assistance through this site. I no longer recommend it.
AshaW6
8 days ago
I dont know what to do my mom is mentally ill and in a hospital i never really knew her and my father left me when I was eight and never looked back. I dont know him and fors majority of my life I have been living with my grandmother yet since she did not file legal custody I dont know if I am indepedent or depedent. And if I am depedent how do I get my parents information if I dont even know them
sxyswthrt316
16 days ago
I dont know what to do! I really want to go to college and I have paid for a community college out of my pocket for 2 years and i am ready to go to a four year college but i need a grant. I do not have my parents information because she kicked me out a year and a half ago and i have not talked to her since. I tried to get police reports of her drug and alcohol abuse but they will not release them to me because they all involve minors.. my little brothers. I live with my older sister and we are barely making it in a trailer. She wants me to go to school too but i am having such a hard time getting the dependecy override and i cannot get amancipated after I turned 18 in my state does anyone have any advice?
ChadrickA2
about 1 month ago
Here's my thing. My mom abandoned me to my great-grandmother (GG) when I was three, but my GG never got legal custody of me (She already had custody of my older brother and sister). My mom has always been around but never took me back or tried to help support me in anyway. She lives off of other people, like my step-dad she married a few years ago, and has been in prison twice (four years total), technically leaving me without a legal guardian. My GG was on welfare and yet she helped me as much as she could, but she died last year. My mom, even though my stepdad just bought a house, dropped my name to get a FEMA trailer and foodstamps (neither of which are benefiting me). She has no problem giving my the information for the FAFSA; however, since my stepdad makes so much, I not only get shorted on Pell, I can't qualify for a grant that would have paid completely for tuition and housing.
KasiusJ
2 months ago
I have a child but do not have a job does that qualify me as independent I will be responsible for child support
Faust
2 months ago
How about this
"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."
notice this one here"Have legal dependents other than a spouse"
Would a legalized form of domestic partnership be enough to claim ones self as an independent considering the terms of a domestic partner ship it would be and beyond that note it would be unfair treatment and discriminatory towards an individual not to take in the considerations of a "Legalized" domestic partnership.
EmmanuelO54
2 months ago
am so poor ,i need a scholarship to further my education.my e-mail jesuphemmy4success@yahoo.com
joshbradley
2 months ago
Yeah I do not like the FAFSA at all. I am a Tradesmans out of work due to the Economy and am going back to school to pursue a Degree in my field of work. But because I made too much money last year I do not qualify which does not make sense that they do not consider some circumstances; out of work on unemployment making 5x less than what I used too. Much less do they consider something for people like me to pay for some of the costs in going back to school to further my Profession. This is ridicoulus and plain wrong. It never was this hard.
JasmineW723
2 months ago
The FAFSA is setup to award people who are not trully "idependent" I mean really, working and paying your own bills and rent does not make you independent!? No! They want you to be a troubled teen, have kids, be married or just be old as hell...I'm 21 have been on my own since 18 and have been trying to go to school on fin aid every single year since I graduated but they want parents(who aren't in my life) income. Just last year I tried and was asked for tons of "randomly selected verification" random BS! and still did not qualify. Then I was told well, if your pregnant we can give you finanial aid...are you pregnant!? NO! Are you serious? That's the US Government for you...Now a year later I am married and pregnant so, I qualify for aid but they still want to verify every little thing! I am just glad to be in school now after waiting for so long! :)
coreythegirl
3 months ago
fafsa sucks for students who are completely independent of their parents, and just want some money for school, because our job isn't going to cut it. we have other bills to pay! -- i haven't lived/ or received any type of help from my parents for school, even trough highschool ... I just wish there was another way because I know there are alot of student out there that are in the same boat as a lot of us.
DanielleW289
3 months ago
My parents filed for bankrupcy and then divorced. I currently live with my mother but she cannot afford to give me any money for college. It sucks that they think that because I live with her I don't pay for everthing myself. According to them the bulk of my earnings should go to school instead of living. What they say I should be living off of wouldn't even cover my car insurance. They should really update FASFA for this day and age.
ashtin
3 months ago
hey im 20 i recently granduated from school with honors and was very eager to go to school but my mother kicked me out 3 months before my grauation and refuse to let me provide the school of my choice or any school for that matter with her finacial information which placed me in a place where im am not able to enroll in school because im to young to register as an independent student i have been providing for my self since she kicked me out and i dont qualify for special circumstances. this is unfair i am forced to go to work everyday to keep a roof over my head and i missed out on one of the most important experiences in my life because im unable to further my education
Angabelle
4 months ago
I am 19. My mom passed away when I was 11. My parents were never married. My dad has been out of the picture since I was 6. I graduated from high school in 08. I also dealt with the awkward situation of not fitting any forms specifications because of my unusual circumstances. I live with my grandparents and they are my legal guardians so I assumed that I would just file with their financial information. This was not the case and my school informed the that I was a Independent Student. I had to file the FAFSA again with my information which included no job history and very little personal savings. I now have almost a full ride based on need and academic scholarships because of my Independent status. Private colleges are an option for anyone. Schools are very good at giving scholarships especially during these hard times. Ask questions of everyone that you meet in Financial Aid. They are your best resources and they truly want to make that school a possibility for you! Just know who to ask and what questions to ask!
CristinaB44
4 months ago
Hey JessicaD970, I was kind of in the same kind but different situation u r in.... I'm 20 years old I grauated high school in june 07 then my mom died in oct 07 which leav me in a very ouwerd situation because I was in LA but the rest of my ants and uncial were in TJ...and for my no good dad wanted me to leave with him and his bitch of a wife that didn't acknowledge me being alive but then my boyfriend pose pores to me so .............one window close then another one open .....so anyway there is a lot of places in CA that can help you just look on line....
mrobeng
4 months ago
federal student loan consolidation