TL/DR: Has anyone here gotten independent status, and if so, how did you do it?

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/FOTWWebApp/fotw0809/WorksheetServlet?wstype=WSDEP&locale=en_US

This is the criteria they use to determine whether or not you are an independent student. For those who don't know, if you are independent, then you don't have to put your parent's income information into the FAFSA form, and so their money is not considered in what kind of aid you can get. Basically if you answer yes to any of those questions (I played around with the form) you are considered independent.

Does anyone else see a huge flaw in this? No where on there does it say "my parents suck, I moved out as soon as I turned 18, finished high school, and am now going to college on my own. I'm dirt poor and work at McDonalds to pay my rent in my shitty apartment. My parents are not helping me fund my education at all."

Why the hell isn't that there?

If someone like that, or even just someone who is not getting help from their parents, doesn't live with them anymore, and is supporting themselves, could be considered independent, a whole new world of grants and financial aid would open up to them. This system seems so contradictory. We are free adults...but we're still dependent on our parents? Who the fuck gets to decide that? If you live at home off of mommy and daddy, ok then maybe you are dependent. But if I don't, and because I'm not 23 years old, married, have a child, or have been in the army, I'm dependent? Couldn't all those people still live off their parents?

So as I said in the beginning, has anyone here gotten independent status, and if so, how did you do it?

edit: I wonder...if I put down I was married, if they would even be able to confirm something like that. Or bother with it.

I'm almost 100% sure that the independent/dependent status is based on what you file you're federal income tax as. Which is why they ask for all the lines from the 1040.

To be considered dependent you have to fulfill four criteria: relationship (son/daughter/stepson/stepdaughter), abode (you must reside in the residence of the parent, time away from school doesn't count), support (they provide for >50% of financial support), and age (below 24 if you are student).

So if you wanna be considered an independent, you just have to not qualify for one of these criteria. Easiest being support, then abode.

edit: I wonder...if I put down I was married, if they would even be able to confirm something like that. Or bother with it.

Yes they would probably figure it out. This is the federal government we are talking about. They killed JFK, MLK, Gandhi, Abe Lincoln, Napoleon, just think about what they can do to you. There is saying around the IRS, if you act like a pig, you will be treated like a pig, and you will be slaughtered. Just some friendly advice.

I'm almost 100% sure that the independent/dependent status is based on what you file you're federal income tax as. Which is why they ask for all the lines from the 1040.

To be considered dependent you have to fulfill four criteria: relationship (son/daughter/stepson/stepdaughter), abode (you must reside in the residence of the parent, time away from school doesn't count), support (they provide for >50% of financial support), and age (below 24 if you are student).

So if you wanna be considered an independent, you just have to not qualify for one of these criteria. Easiest being support, then abode.

Either they lied to me, or you are wrong. When I did mine, my freshmen year, they told me I HAVE to put my parents. Whom I hadn't lived with for 15 years, and did not supply even near 50% of my living.

Who told you? Also do your parents claim you as a dependent? I'm not too sure about filing the FAFSA as an independent, because I have never done so. I would not be surprised if they require the information either way.

Anyways, I am right. Look up child dependency status for tax law.

Who told you? Also do your parents claim you as a dependent? I'm not too sure about filing the FAFSA as an independent, because I have never done so. I would not be surprised if they require the information either way.

Anyways, I am right. Look up child dependency status for tax law.

The person who does FA at my school. My parents don't claim me(my aunt does).

onasis, the critieria for being "independent" according to FAFSA, is the link I provided. My point is there is nothing there about your parents having to provide you with 50% of your income or whatever, or about living with them. It's all right there, it's pretty clear cut.

I'm not talking about tax dependents.

Reel Big Fish, that's the kind of bullshit I'm talking about here. It doesn't make sense.

My bad. The FAFSA isn't there to calculate the amount of federal aid you shall receive and to my knowledge you only have to meet on of those criteria to be considered a dependent, so... I don't really remember where I was going with this, I'm stoned out of my gourd.

Here's what I'm thinking: say you're 18 years old, nobody claims you as a dependent on their 1040 and your wages you have less taxes withheld from you, being that you are an adult. You support you're self 100%, have little savings, etc etc. You still have to file as a dependent on the FAFSA. Now when you file you're FAFSA, the government looks at the amount of withholdings you have on your W2, looks at your savings, your families, etc etc. From that they determine, you're poor, you support yourself mostly, thereby eligible for more federal aid from your school.

Just my two cents. Although I do see you're point, I don't think it is as contradictory as you think it is.

A clip from Wikipedia's FAFSA entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fafsa
This brings the question of why parents' assets are a factor at all, because of the fact that they are no more legally related to the student than is a complete stranger. Students who will not be receiving parental aid for college expenses may be able to appeal directly to their school of choice for a reevaluation of aid awards based on their personal circumstances.

My bad. The FAFSA isn't there to calculate the amount of federal aid you shall receive and to my knowledge you only have to meet on of those criteria to be considered a dependent, so... I don't really remember where I was going with this, I'm stoned out of my gourd.

Here's what I'm thinking: say you're 18 years old, nobody claims you as a dependent on their 1040 and your wages you have less taxes withheld from you, being that you are an adult. You support you're self 100%, have little savings, etc etc. You still have to file as a dependent on the FAFSA. Now when you file you're FAFSA, the government looks at the amount of withholdings you have on your W2, looks at your savings, your families, etc etc. From that they determine, you're poor, you support yourself mostly, thereby eligible for more federal aid from your school.

Just my two cents. Although I do see you're point, I don't think it is as contradictory as you think it is.

A clip from Wikipedia's FAFSA entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fafsa

1. FAFSA is there to calculate the amount of federal aid you are eligible for. That's the whole point....If you have a high expected family contribution (EFC) you're not eligible for, nor will you get, shit. This EFC number comes from your parent's income.

2. In that example you gave, they would take into account your parent's income, and would not determine you were poor. The wikipedia thing makes a point...but I feel like it would have to be an extreme case, and I've never heard of that being used really.

Very true and I can't disagree with you.

I have a friend who lives at home with his rents who make a decent amount (probably ~100K a year combined), and qualifies for a crap load of federal loans. For a poor family the EFC calculation works out pretty well. Also from what I understand the financial aid admins at most schools coordinate their fundings pretty closely with federal education agencies. It's a retarded system.

Very true and I can't disagree with you.

I have a friend who lives at home with his rents who make a decent amount (probably ~100K a year combined), and qualifies for a crap load of federal loans. For a poor family the EFC calculation works out pretty well. Also from what I understand the financial aid admins at most schools coordinate their fundings pretty closely with federal education agencies. It's a retarded system.

How does he qualify? That's like what my parents make and I don't live with them. (and i don't qualify for anything)

If I remember in my drunkenness tonight, I will ask him.

How long can you defer studies at your school?

Go work as a Private Investigator, Security Guard, or Peace Officer until you turn 23. If you're still thinking cop, that is to say. During that time, you could also work on securing a stable place to live, getting into police-quality shape, and studying for the tests that you'll have to take in the future.

You've got options.

How long can you defer studies at your school?

Go work as a Private Investigator, Security Guard, or Peace Officer until you turn 23. If you're still thinking cop, that is to say. During that time, you could also work on securing a stable place to live, getting into police-quality shape, and studying for the tests that you'll have to take in the future.

You've got options.

While this is true, there is the fear that quitting school, one will never go back. I'll fall into a routine, be glad to be rid of rigorous academic work, and kind of fall into place somewhere, not wanting to start it all over again. And then I may find myself in a job making, say, $30k a year, but having to support myself and make payments on student loans from these first two years of college...and suddenly I won't be considered dirt poor because I will have a steady lower middle class job...and then by the time I'm 23 I will feel left behind as most others my age have already graduated and I still have a year or two to go.

Anyway, point is it wouldn't be worth it. I'm past the halfway point to my degree as it is. But damn is it expensive.

Is your academic work rigorous? Just be aware that you have options and opportunities beyond what you're looking at now. You know yourself better than I; however, with dedication, you can create a broader educational path than the one that you're currently going down. You make the decisions on if you're going to drop out or if you're going to defer studies and explore other educational routes. Even beyond that, you could look to transfer credits; if you've already completed half of your studies, you may qualify for a diploma at another institution. Options, options, options. Nonetheless, this is all just tossing stuff out there for you.

I know the ins and outs of Canada's student finance system, but I can't offer any thoughts on FAFSA. My best advice would be to make an appointment and ask them what would be best for you. They do exist to help you. Are there FAFSA offices nearby?

The EFC isn't determined strictly by family income. I have had a number of problems with the FAFSA, primarily that my dad remarried to someone who does not contribute any additional income to the household. This increased my EFC by $10,000 based on some number having to do with number of individuals in the household. At the same time. it also decreased my financial aid by $6,000 in my second year.

I'm in the same situation as you, I've been living on my own since I was 18 but I'm still classified as a dependent "for tuition purposes." The system is pretty fucked up, luckily my field has very good pay so I should be able to pay off my loans soon after I graduate.

I get aid based on 3 people(Dad, mom, stepdad) who contribute nothing more than the occasional birthday present. And I get nothing because of THEIR earnings. Luckily, Georgia has HOPE to pay for tuition.

The EFC isn't determined strictly by family income.

My experience has been that it basically is.

My parents made $115,000 combined last year. At the same time, they are buried in debt and we live in a very tiny house, they drive generally cheap cars, and can't afford to really do anything or have luxuries because so much money goes toward that debt. They also have no savings. Literally nothing. When I was filling out FAFSA, I asked my mom what to put for total bank account balance for them, and she said "uhh...it varies...I guess around $500." They don't have any assets or anything of value. And yet, my EFC was almost $23,000! It would seem their income is the only thing taken into account here. And the expected cost of enrollment at my school is like $21,000, so do you think I'm really gonna get shit? Nah.

I left my house when I was 18. I work at Wawa, 9 and a half hours a day and get a 15 minute break. 5 days in a row, 5:30am to 3pm. I can barely pay rent and utilities, can barely afford food, and I'm considered a dependent. My mother just inherited a lot of money, and had alot of money prior. She doesn't work, and lives in a nice single home comfortably.

If you ask me, it's insane, and unfair how the Fasfa calculates wether or not you are independent or dependent. It's actually ridiculous that if I was some skank who get knocked at 18 Im independent (I don't mean those of you who aren't skanks, I mean girls who can't count how many people they've slept with), or if I went to fight Bush's war, I'm independent. Blows my mind. Just don't get it.

And most of the grants I should be eligible for I can't get, because it's based on my mother's assests? But if I'm smoking a joint on the corner and a cop locks me up over it, I'm a independent, over 18, responsible for myself.

Guess I'll just bury myself in loans!:cool:

I left my house when I was 18. I work at Wawa, 9 and a half hours a day and get a 15 minute break. 5 days in a row, 5:30am to 3pm. I can barely pay rent and utilities, can barely afford food, and I'm considered a dependent. My mother just inherited a lot of money, and had alot of money prior. She doesn't work, and lives in a nice single home comfortably.

If you ask me, it's insane, and unfair how the Fasfa calculates wether or not you are independent or dependent. It's actually ridiculous that if I was some skank who get knocked at 18 Im independent (I don't mean those of you who aren't skanks, I mean girls who can't count how many people they've slept with), or if I went to fight Bush's war, I'm independent. Blows my mind. Just don't get it.

And most of the grants I should be eligible for I can't get, because it's based on my mother's assests? But if I'm smoking a joint on the corner and a cop locks me up over it, I'm a independent, over 18, responsible for myself.

Guess I'll just bury myself in loans!:cool:

This is pretty much how I feel about shit too. Only thing I can tell you is find a male friend who is also looking for some breaks in college education, and get legally married. Then you're independent. Hey I'm a male in college...haha.

Ah but then you have that divorce on your records and who knows? Maybe fraud charges if they find out you did it just for teh grants.

I was reading some FAFSA brochure the other day, and you can actually get independent status even if you meet that criteria.

You need to talk to your school's Financial Aid Administrator, and they can change your status for you. You have to have proof that you don't receive support from your parents though, such as a mortgage, rental agreement, paycheck stub, etc...

I was reading some FAFSA brochure the other day, and you can actually get independent status even if you meet that criteria.

You need to talk to your school's Financial Aid Administrator, and they can change your status for you. You have to have proof that you don't receive support from your parents though, such as a mortgage, rental agreement, paycheck stub, etc...

It's hard to do though. They don't want to give up that precious aid money.