Quick Help with FAFSA

[hyphysole]

How do you qualify as Independent?

And what are the differences between dependent and independent besides getting help from parents?

Edit: Im going to a community college in the fall, and then transferring to a university for the spring semester. I already got a letter saying I will receiveaid for both semesters for the community college. Any way I could get aid switched over to the university for spring semester?

 

[gescobe]

if your parents claim you on their taxes you are dependent..

 

[hyphysole]

Originally Posted by gescobe

if your parents claim you on their taxes you are dependent..

So if you got a job and stuff, you cant apply as an independent? And does anyone know if you get more money depending if you're dependent or not?

 

[gescobe]

i had a job in college but my mom still claimed me as her dependent, as far as taxes go, the gov. gave her more money for me than if I would have claimedmyself(independent).

 

[c o ivi p l e x]

i heard you had to be at least like 24 to claim your an independent.

 

[nikesincebirth]

when you fill out your FAFSA, theres a page that says, "Do any of these apply to you: ". If any those options apply to you, then you are independent.

 

[c o ivi p l e x]

did some quick google, you can't claim independence until you're 24 or you're married, whichever comes first.
the financial aid department at your school can declare you independent with an override, but it's used in very limited cases such as abuse, neglect,parents are homeless, student is a foster-child, etc.

 

[hyphysole]

Originally Posted by gescobe

i had a job in college but my mom still claimed me as her dependent, as far as taxes go, the gov. gave her more money for me than if I would have claimed myself(independent).

When you were in college with a job, did you still get a good amount of money from grants and stuff?

 

[marath0n]

Any other way around this?

 

[freshjayz]

Originally Posted by C o IVI p L e X

did some quick google, you can't claim independence until you're 24 or you're married, whichever comes first.
the financial aid department at your school can declare you independent with an override, but it's used in very limited cases such as abuse, neglect, parents are homeless, student is a foster-child, etc.

24, married, have kids..
I moved out and was on my own since I was 18, mom hadn't claimed me since.. Up until this quarter I was defendant.
Not that she's passed I'm independent.
It's stupid.
... Your EFC (Expected family contribution) goes down, your financial aid is based solely off your income, you are eligible for more grants.. Blah blah.. Whenyou are independent.

EDIT: I can't %!@$*+! type right today. Lol.

 

[lovemysole]

I claimed myself as an independent but only because my mom went out of the country for 9 months so I got to claim her

.


Financial told me that it didn't matter if I claimed myself as an independent or not because I would get the same amount of money PLUS they ask for so much*%&^ when you're independent.

 

[dylishis]

If your parents aren't married, only claim one...the one that makes the least amount of money. And depending what THAT is, you still might get %$**+! over.

It's a damn shame that you have to be dirt poor or filthy rich to pay for school. Or your parents have to have a bunch of kids and +$*!...messed up. Andthat 24 independent thing is for the birds as well. School sucks.

 

[flaboidolph]

naw if u stay with ur parents as long as they makin more then u they have to claim u!

 

[casperjr]

i got a question if another program is paying for your school fees will financial aid still throw some money yo way

 

[hyphysole]

Anyone?

 

[josebronx]

so if im not claimed but live at home with mom-dukes and pay the utility bills like electricity and water, can I file as independent?