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02.05.07 | FAFSA Tip: Eligibility for Independent Student Status
I have received some inquiries about my previous blog: 5 Bizarre things you did not know about the FAFSA.
What qualifies you as an Independent Student?
If one or any of the following apply to you, then you will be considered an Independent Student:
- You are enrolled in a Masters program, Doctorate Degree, or graduate Certification program
- age does not matter, if you are enrolled in any of these types of programs you are considered and independent student
- You have a child or children that are your legal dependent(s)
- you may have a family member etc. that is considered your dependent…he/she does not necessarily have to be a child
- You are married
- You are under the age of 24 and both of your parents are deceased
- You were a ward of your state until you were 18 years of age
- You are 24 years of age or older
- You are a Veteran of the United States Armed Force
The most important aspect of this is to remember that your school has the right to reassess certain circumstances, a process called professional judgement.
Some students have no contact with their parents, and therefore cannot use their tax information for filing the FAFSA. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need to go to your school’s financial aid office and ask them for help. Chances are, you’ll also need to bring plentiful documentation (rent, utilities, etc.) to prove that your situation is as you say it is. You’ll be asking for a professional judgement override on dependency status.
If anyone has specific questions about any of these qualifications, post a comment! I will be sure to get back to you :)
if parents have filed bankrupcy and have no assets and have high debt liability to the state and irs, are in the process of trying to set up payment plans with irs and state revenue. the family contribution for college is being given to these payment plans to the government. could a student be declared independent from his parents to qualify for aid on his own? , since his parents financial situation does not afford them the opportunity to help the student financially. who can change the students dependent status.
February 23rd, 2007 | #
Is there an option on the fafsa to select if you live with your parents but receive no financial support from them? Minimum wage barely affords me sufficient money for tuition and living expenses (gas, car insurance, etc).
February 23rd, 2007 | #
I have a similar question to Joe’s. If a students’ parents are in debt so severe they can never make each payment on time, they obviously can’t affod FAFSA’s estimated contribution. What happens then?
March 1st, 2007 | #
In response to Joe: a school’s financial aid office can always use their best judgement to determine if a student should qualify for more money in grants/loans etc, based upon that particular student’s financial situation. The student and their parents should go to the school to hash out the details.
In response to Megan: The EFC determined by the FAFSA is just an estimation…the school can work around this estimation by finding alternative ways to come up with the amount that the government feels the family has to pay. So the EFC is not something that the family MUST come up with, because like you said, some families simply cannot do that. Your best bet is to actually go into the school (and not just call) and sit down with a Financial Aid officer there.
In response to Mike: There is not a section on the FAFSA for this…the government does not really look at IF you parents support you financially…they just look at their income coming in, and your income coming in…this is why the school you are going to can look more at the details of each students’ specific financial situation
March 1st, 2007 | #
A clarification on what makes a student Independent if a student has dependents.
It is not enough just to have a “dependent”, such as a child, for a student to be Independent and to check “Yes” to that question on the FAFSA. The student must also be supporting that child and be able to show where that support is coming from.
If a student with a child lives with his/her parent and it is the student’s parent who is providing housing, food, clothes, etc., the student is NOT supporting the child and cannot be considered Independent for financial aid purposes.
If a student is receiving shild support, living with a partner who is providing support, or receiving state or federal benefits that are sufficient to support the child, the student MAY be Independent. The student should talk with their Financial Aid Office to determine their status.
March 1st, 2007 | #
I am independent because of age. However, you indicated that you can claim someone that is not your child as a depenent. My fiance is in school and unemployed. We live together and I support her. Can I claim her on my fasfa as a dependent and in my Household size even if I did not claim her on my taxes? Part II. Can my friend claim his mother whom lives with him and only works sometimes part part-time to be exact. He pays all the bills and actually supports her? If so what type of documentation should we have to provide to the FAA to prove we are supporting the other individuals and are able to claim them as dependents. I was told that I would have to prove it but I couldn’t find anywhere that said what to give for proof.
March 2nd, 2007 | #
in my situation i do not live with my father….i live in a differant state, and he does not support me at all…is there a way to getting around use his income since i dont have acsess to his money?
March 3rd, 2007 | #
Rule #2 says if you have a child or dependent you are independent, well does being pregnant count?
March 25th, 2007 | #
I went to a business college (very disappointing, I may add) back in 2000-2001 and I believe they screwed me up… here’s why: I was 23 with 3 children, recently moved to VA… they instantly brought my biological mother’s husband (whom is NOT legally my stepdad since I was adopted when I was a baby) in to fill out the financial aid form for a loan… Everything was rushed. EVERYTHING… They didn’t ask if I had kids or anything… Anyways… it didn’t become an issue until last year when I returned to a community college and became a student worker for the EOC, which was a federally funded program which helped the students with financial aid and admissions, etc… basically more personal counselors, I suppose… ANYWAY — I learned A TON and helped so many of my friends get financial aid (not LOANS) and now that I’m defaulted in my own loan from way back when… I’m wondering if there is anything that can be done about that…. (sorry, I talk a lot) Have the rules changed over the years?!
March 27th, 2007 | #
How can I apply for FAFSA if I am 18 and my parents do not file income tax returns and basically, have nothing to do with me?
March 28th, 2007 | #
How to qualify “work study”?
April 3rd, 2007 | #
What about if I don’t live with my parents, my work, but barely make enough to survive. Can I then be considered an independent student?
April 4th, 2007 | #
My daughter is the beneficiary of a 529 account that is owned by her grandfather? How should this be handled / reported on her FAFSA?
April 11th, 2007 | #
Important question lets say I live mostly with my friend we share the rent…..but I am still a dependent filing under my parents tax return…so for permanent address should I put my aunts address becuz she lives in the same county as the college that im attending or should I put in my parents address??
June 2nd, 2007 | #
Pat, I am in the exact same situation. We should talk.
-jasmine
lunarainattempt@hotmail.com
July 15th, 2007 | #
I am 22 will be 23 first of Sept. Going back to school fulltime in Sept 07. I work and take care of myself. Have not lived with my parent for a year now. Mom is sick and will not or cannot complete the fafsa. I have talked to the college about independent status so I can apply for student loans.They have not been helpful. How do I resolve this??/
July 17th, 2007 | #
What if someone under 24 gets married after their Fafsa has been filed? Can they re-file without parental information? Is spousal information necessary?
August 8th, 2007 | #
I work full time and I’m not able to attend normal college classes. I will be taking classes on line and the school will not accept federal money. Can I or should I still apply? Can the funds go to me and then I pay the school?
August 30th, 2007 | #
My sister recently graduated from HS and turned 18, at which time my mother and step-father cut her off completely. They flat out refused to help her by filling out their financial information for FAFSA when she asked. She is barely working to feed herself and pay rent. I am trying to find avenues in which to help her but I don’t know what to do. Right now fafsa would be her only option if she wishes to continue her education. How can I go about mking it feasable for her to apply for aid without her parents consent. She has not been living in their home since age 15, and lives in a completely different state from them, and attended boarding school pror to turning 18. Any advice would be helpful.
September 2nd, 2007 | #
Hi,
I will be graduating from college in the spring of 2008; however, I will be entering another undergraduate program in the fall of 2009 (I will be 22 years old). Therefore, I would like to know if I would automatically be considered a independent (or would I have to petition for that status because of my age/type of degree program)?
September 12th, 2007 | #
I do not live my mother and have not lived with her for almost 2 years. I get no financial help from her at all. In fact I pay her for my car insurance. She doesn’t make enough to help me pay for school and I certainly can’t do it on my own. If I put her on my FAFSA they’ll say I can’t get a pell grant because she makes 2 much money but she really doesn’t. I’m trying my hardest to avoid getting a loan and I don’t wanna get married or have kids yet so what should I do? Who in the world decided that 24 should be the independent age when most people stop living with their parents way before then?
September 18th, 2007 | #
In response to Britney who lives in a different state than your father and he gives you no aid. The only thing you can do is take him to court and “divorce” him. That is what my finacial aid office told me. I have lived on my own with no help from my parents since I was 17. My finacial aid office said I can wait till I am 24 or divorce my parents and that’s it.
October 17th, 2007 | #
I need some help, I have 23 yrs old, Im married, and I have a 5 mth old baby. My husband is a engineer and he makes about 50 K, I am not working, and Im in college, At the financial aid off. they told me that with his salary I am not eligible to financial aid. We have lots of debts since we moved from NY to florida, we have a baby that we have to maintain, and a house, plus rent, and all the bills along with those that came from the hospital, his salary is not enough to cover my education. Is there a way I can put my taxes only on the fafsa application and not my husband’s and if that is not possible, Is there a way I can let them know that his salary is not enough to maintain us all and pay for my education?. Please let me know asap.
November 2nd, 2007 | #
How can I claim independent status and I been living on my own, pay own bills, and my parents don’t support me at all. I’m 21 years of age and needed finanical aid really bad. If I tried to used my parents income they make too much money which they don’t. My parents has five other kids at their house. How they going to support me for school when they have to take care of my brothers and sisters at their house? Also I’m in the military but financial aid is not enough from them as a reservist. And I haven’t been to war to claim independent status. What should I do?
November 4th, 2007 | #
my daughter lives on her own and will be 19 in january and i help her now and then as gifts to her but she does not live with me can she be considered as an independent status cusae i am not going to claim her on my income tax for 2007 taxes since she is not a dependent anymore. please help.
November 26th, 2007 | #
If your adopted, and your adoption parents get money from the government to help support you, does that make you a ward of the court? and if it does, and you have to provide for yourself because your parents are wrong and they dont help you with anything, are you automatically and independent student?
December 13th, 2007 | #
So I am 20 yrs old and do not live with my parents. I pay my bills on my own. Am I still considered a dependent?
December 14th, 2007 | #
Does anyone know? My son turned 18; since he is now his own legal guardian & his father is required to pay child support until age 19; he receives the child support money & right now that is his sole income. From that money, he pays over half of child day care expense for his 8-month old son. He is not married & currently lives at home; the baby does not live with us. Can my son qualify as an independent student?
January 24th, 2008 | #
If my older sister claimed me on her taxes should I put her information in the section that says mother?
February 16th, 2008 | #
Hi,
My Mom hasn’t filed her taxes in 5 years, she been paying fee’s after fee’s and just delaying her taxes. My Father has filed his taxes every year except the last 2 years, as he’s hoping to file Together with my Mom,there both married, and they have 5 children’s.
My mom’s an Engineer, and my dad’s a Mechanical Technician. Together they make over 100,000 thousand. I’ve moved out because of this problem/dilemma. I’ve begged them to file there taxes, but they’ve continued with no thought.
I’m the 2nd oldest at 20 years old, my older sister is 21, and my younger sister is 19. We three are the one’s trying to get through college.
I’ve “taken” a break from my Community College to save up money to go back to school. As much as some people don’t like it, I LOVE GOING TO SCHOOL. Too bad my parents are dumb. Both myself and my older sister have dropped classes, and joined the working world, putting 40 hours a week.
In the past 2 years, I’ve opened 2 credit cards and have mixed them both out, paying for tuition, and books with them. On top of trying to work on my “college” aspirations, I’m paying my debt, a little over 3 thousand. I don’t have good credit, and am definitely working on it.
I moved out of the chaotic family house of 7, and now living 2 blocks from my College. My initial plan was to move out and go to college, 2 blocks away. Instead, I have to pay rent, and debt collectors.
I’m taking care of my debt problems, but I’m seeking advise on how to proceed. The question I have is, CAN I CLAIMED INDEPENDENT STATUS IF my parents haven’t filled there taxes in 2 years, soon to be 3 years?
If your response entails these words, Loan, Scholarships, Grants, Ask your parents to file, work study, Beg, then consider rephrasing/research deeper.
FYI: I’m sitting at my 40 hour job, sulking in hatred of a dream I’m not suppose to be in. PLEASE HELP.
Email:Sifa.Latu@gmail.com
February 26th, 2008 | #
My greatneice lived with me from a baby. Her father is always incarcerated and her mother whom she has little contact, receives ssi making my neice also eligible until she turned 18 and graduated highschool. The court was never involved with this living situation. And my husband and I claimed her on our tax returns. We are wondering if we should stop claiming her and if she sould be considered independent. She has had small jobs for the past couple of years and is finishing her first year of college,but she used all of her mothers information for her FAFSA last year. I continue to support her with a room, allowance and tuition. I want her to go the route where she can get the most financial aid she can. Otherwise I feel she will leave school and just work. Her parents by the way don’t file any taxes.
March 5th, 2008 | #
My daughter, had a huge disagreement with her farther in 2007, she left the house and moved in with her aunt. My daughter worked to support herself. I helped when I could. Her father has very serious health issues that we can not afford to pay for college, not sure that he would any way. Is there and way because of the family health issues my daughter can be changed from denpendent to independent. My husband and I filed jointly and according to FASA make to much money. They do not understand living from paycheck to paycheck due to the medication cost.
March 19th, 2008 | #
Unfortunately, there’s a very strict set of rules about who is an independent student:
http://www.fafsaonline.com/fafsa-questions/who-is-a-dependent-student.php
March 19th, 2008 | #
I don’t get any support from my partents and have no tie with them. I’m trying to claim independent but i can’t answer yes to any of the 7 question listed on top. What should I do in order to be consider independent?
March 25th, 2008 | #
Ok I would like to know what to do? I was kicked out of the house by my father and has no more relationship with him, I do not even know where he is now! I am 20 years old and my mother is seriously ill and incapacitated in another country and does not work
April 17th, 2008 | #
My daughter, while in undergrad, filed as a dependent student. She is now about to file as independent since she will be attending grad school in the fall. Does she file a new application or generate a new one with her updated status? Is there a place on the old application to change your dependency status?
April 20th, 2008 | #
I have to come up with $30,000 for my tuition at Johnson and Wales. What happens if your parents refuse to fill out the Fafsa and give no financial support? What are the other options do I have to get Financial Aid.
April 29th, 2008 | #
@rudy @Brad: you need to talk to your school’s financial aid office to see if there’s a possibility they can do a professional judgement override. You’ll need to document that you are living independently and have no support or contact with your parents.
May 14th, 2008 | #
@Margie - she should file a new FAFSA for the coming school year with her updated status.
May 14th, 2008 | #
What if you were in a foster home and was adopted by the forster parent who received money from the state for you. Are you considered independent?
June 5th, 2008 | #
What if a student’s marital status changes during a school year they have already been awarded money for? Do they just need to wait and change it the next time they file their FAFSA? Or do they need to notify FAFSA in some way?
June 30th, 2008 | #
Brittney - if the money’s been awarded, then you just file differently the following year.
Linda - if you’ve been adopted, then you’re no longer a ward of the state and are now a dependent student.
July 1st, 2008 | #
hi,
im a US citizen living in toronto with my uncle, and my parents are living in the middle east where a thing as tax does not exist basically. so how do i apply for aid when my parents pay no tax when there is none to pay?all fafsa wants is tax information, and i too dont work to pay tax.i want to study in canada with american federal aidbecause im not a canadian citizen.so will i be eligible or not with no taxes to pay?
July 5th, 2008 | #
My parents havent filed taxes in the last 4 years and arent goin to any time soon. My grandparents have agreed to legally adopt me, so can i file the fafsa with my grandparents as my parents. I am 18 though and i already did this years fafsa with my parents info or lack there of. any help is good
July 9th, 2008 | #
Hello,
I am 21 years old and living on my own. I have struggled paying for a community college education the past three years. I am now trying to transfer adn further my education, but have no way to pay for tuition. My parents don’t support me in any way and I cannot use them for my FAFSA, because they don’t file taxes. I love school and I work extremely hard. I don’t want to give up on school, because of this circumstance. I don’t know what to do and no one seems to have the answers. If anyone has any suggestions or information I would truly appreciate it.
July 10th, 2008 | #
@siavash: you must file your IRS federal tax return regardless of whether or not you pay taxes.
@carlos: once the adoption process is complete, you can file your FAFSA and have it go through.
@sam: Make sure you grab our free scholarship book:
http://www.scholarshipsearchsecrets.com
July 11th, 2008 | #
Hi,I have been diagnosed with leukemia. I am in disability now of course who knows for how long, but the income this year will be good in paper. Waht are the chances that my son will be approved a dependency override based on this when he fills out applications for college this fall to get in 2009?
July 22nd, 2008 | #
Marcelo - I would call the school financial aid office now, get that paper trail started, so that when you come back to them with a professional judgement request later on down the road, they’ll remember you.
July 23rd, 2008 | #
I have a disabled son who is planning on going to college in the fall of 09. I’m wondering if there are resources out there for college bound disabled students, such as tuition, housing and transportation.
July 24th, 2008 | #
I am 20 and I live on my own. I have been paying rent since the day I graduated high school. I am still in good standings with my parents, but they do not give me any money for anything. I talkeed to the financial aid dept at my school and they did not have anything to say to help me. They said if I cannot get the tax info from my parents then I will have to pay out of pocket. Then after I filed my fafsa with my parents info I talked to someone from fafsa and they said that on the fafsa where it asks who you live with you would write number 8 (other) then he said to include a lettter stating that I live by myself and also include that I am requesting to claim independant. He said that is how I may be able to get around the dependant rule.
Does anyone have any good ideas on what I should write in this letter? I really cant afford to pay this on my own :(
August 5th, 2008 | #
Hello,
I am 28,dated a guy for 7 years,now I am married to him.He has never given me a dime, also he has debts with government, and owes me money too.
Finally I decided to go to school, but now I know he makes about 40.000$ a year, and I have to include him on my FAFSA.
What should I do, to claim independent.
Since I support myself, and he would never let me go to school anyway, if he knew.
But if I divorce, I will be kicked out of the country.
I have no money for school,even though I plan to go to community college, as I have not been making much due to lack of college degree,he is not giving me any money,but yet it looks like we have plenty.
Is there any way to prove,that I have no access to his money?
Please anyone give me advice.
Thank you.
August 12th, 2008 | #
What if I am not supported by my parents in any way or by anyone. I work and support myself, but i dont have any rent or utilities bills to show because i live with a friend of mine who doesnt require me to help out in payments. I’m looking to get my own place but havent yet. How can i go about claiming independence? What can i show for proof?
August 13th, 2008 | #
Hi. I’m 23 years old and am going to file my divorce papers in the next month and plan to attend school at the beginning of the year. Do i file the fasfa under married? i don’t want to report my husbands wages because we have been separated for 9 months and do not receive any support from him. If i am divorced by then but am not 24 yet am i considered a dependent again?
August 13th, 2008 | #
i think all grown kids who want to go to college should get up off of their lazy behinds and start taking some responsibilty for them selves and stop faulsifying information about their parents income on these student aid applications. they should be held responsible and they should be locked up in jail and the key thrown away. SHAME ON ANYONE WHO LIES ABOUT WHO THEY LIVE WITH IN ORDER TO BEAT THE SYSTEM AND GET FREE MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT, I THINK THAT WHO EVER DOES THAT SHOULD BE LOCKED UP AND PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW. SOMEONE DOING THAT SHOULD BE PUT IN A CATOGORY ALONG WITH A NASTY FOUL DOG EATING HIS OWN VOMIT
August 19th, 2008 | #
@Emily: there are lots of scholarships for disabled students. Google for disability scholarship and you should get a good start.
@Debbie: You can ask for a professional judgement override of dependency status, but be prepared to document everything.
August 22nd, 2008 | #
@Katerina: Unfortunately, if you’re not a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, you won’t qualify for any aid on a federal level.
@Samantha: the test for dependency doesn’t currently include emancipated student but will on the 2009-2010 FAFSA. That’s the legal definition you’re looking for.
@Christen: you file under your status at the time of filing. If you’re divorced on the day of your filing, you set that as your status. As for dependency and divorce, check with your school’s aid office.
August 22nd, 2008 | #