Getting financial aid for college is sometimes a matter of whether or not you qualify as independent or dependent in terms of your financial aid and FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student. If you have just graduated from high school, have no job and live at home, you are probably going to be dependent on your parents. What about if you live alone? What if you are a parent yourself?
If you are going to apply for financial assistance for college, be prepared to answer a number of questions about your dependency status. According to FAFSA, you may still be considered a dependent unless you can say no to the list of questions below.
Are you married? Before January 1 of this year, had you already reached the age of 23 or more? Will your attendance at college this semester be in pursuit of a master’s or doctoral degree or certificate? If you are a parent yourself, do you provide more than half of their support? Are there other dependents living with you which you provide more than half the support for? Have you been a ward of the court? Are both of your parents deceased? Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
Answering yes to even one of these questions establishes you as independent from your own parents in terms of FAFSA qualification. However, if you answered all the questions in the negative, you are considered dependent on your parents and will have to provide contact and financial information about your parents.
This will apply even if you no longer live at home with your parents and you are self-supporting. Even the fact that they no longer claim you as a dependent on their income taxes doesn’t alter this determination. Parental data is required even if they are unwilling to help to help pay for your college education. The information is used to determine the amount of aid you are entitled to.
In very few instances, despite answering no to all of the questions, you nay still qualify as an independent. In cases where you can substantiate lack of contact with your parents, abuse from your parents, the fact that your parents abuse substances or if your parents suffer mental illness can earn you independent status.
Independent status can be beneficial if make substantially less than your parents. If you can claim dependents of your own, even your own parents, you may qualify for more financial aid. It is recommended that you discuss these and other situations with your financial aid office as they can guide you on how to proceed.