Verified answer

Unless you are under 24, you are considered a dependent by the federal government.

It doesn't matter if you support yourself.

It doesn't matter how you file your taxes.

I had the same problem and now, at 24, I'm going to college.

To be considered independent, you must meet one of the following requirements...

* You have reached your 24th birthday before January 1st of the beginning of the academic year for which you are applying for financial aid.

* You will be working on a master’s or doctoral degree

* You are married.

* You have children who received more than half of their support from you.

* You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) that live with you and who will receive more than half of their support from you, now through June 30th of the end of the academic year for which you are applying for financial aid.

* You are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age of 18).

* You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The reason for these requirements is that there are a lot of kids who live away from home (on their own) while in school who are not completely dependent from their parents. School or rent or a car or something is generally paid for.

In my situation, I was working full time and paying for everything on my own from the time I was 18. My parents didn't want to pay for my college as they have money and didn't go to school. I didn't expect them to, but it was a shame that I couldn't get aid.

I would still fill out the fafsa. Your school may be able to give you money. Also, contact your school's financial aid office. They may be able to help you achieve independent status or help you come up with a way to pay for at least part of your education.

Sure. If they've done the work, put in the effort, are academically qualified and are residents of the state then they should get the education they've earned. Their parents pay the sales and property taxes that pay for the ed systems. These kids you're asking about were brought here as infants and children and, for all intents and purposes, are "from here". Why not label someone brought to California from Minnesota when they were an infant a non-resident, too? As a member of a long-time CA family, I wouldn't mind seeing all the out-of-staters treated like the foreign colonists they are. We had a nice state until it filled up with Mid-Westerners and Southerners. What's not fair is letting an all-American slacker who spends more time demanding what's due him that he hasn't earned than reading get the financial aid that should be given according to academic merit.

Depends on how old you are and if your parenst can claim you on their taxes. If they make ALOT of money and you are under 21, chances are they still claim you even if you live elsewhere and in that case there will be no financial aid. If your parents make sooooooooo much money, why are you even wanting financial aid? If this scam does go through, I sure hope you get caught! Leave financial aid for those who actually need it.

I agree with the first posting. My parents have giving me 5000's a week allowance, plus monry setside until I turned 25. My point is, if your parents make alot of money, use your allowance wisely. Invest it. You will have to forgo the 500 jeans and 300 shirts for awhile and trip to Italy with friends.

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GOOD LUCK :-)