Can I change my oldest son's FAFSA to an independent status for the 07-08 school year? He makes about 10,000/year. I just cosigned on an apartment for him recently so he could qualify, but basically he pays most of his living expenses. He will finish at his junior college this summer and is transferring to a 4 year school in the fall. I think the benefits to him in the way of increased loan potential outweighs counting him as a deduction on my tax return.

Thanks for any guidance on this.

Probably not. Unless he was born before Jan 1, 1984 or is married, has kids, is a veteran or a ward of the court can he be declared independant. http://www.finaid.org/calculators/dependency.phtml

Supporting yourself finacially does not make you independant under student loan calculationsl.

Lynn, thank you so much for your prompt reply. That's what I needed to know.

This has always seemed so unfair to me. There are many kids out there who, at age 18, are told by their parents "You're on your own." Just because the DOE feels that a parent makes enough that they *could* help pay their child's college expenses, why punish a child whose parents *won't* pay any money towards college, especially if they are not paying any other expenses for a child who is over 18?

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This has always seemed so unfair to me. There are many kids out there who, at age 18, are told by their parents "You're on your own." Just because the DOE feels that a parent makes enough that they *could* help pay their child's college expenses, why punish a child whose parents *won't* pay any money towards college, especially if they are not paying any other expenses for a child who is over 18?
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Post secondary education is not a right...some people have to work hard to earn the money to go to school whether that be thru scholarships or actually working a job.

[quote name='LynnInMN' date='May 29 2007, 01:41 PM' post='2314315']
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This has always seemed so unfair to me. There are many kids out there who, at age 18, are told by their parents "You're on your own." Just because the DOE feels that a parent makes enough that they *could* help pay their child's college expenses, why punish a child whose parents *won't* pay any money towards college, especially if they are not paying any other expenses for a child who is over 18?
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Post secondary education is not a right...some people have to work hard to earn the money to go to school whether that be thru scholarships or actually working a job.
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I'm agreeing with you - what I'm saying is, I've known many parents who have the means to help their child but, for one reason or another, will not. So a 19-year old who has been living on their own for a year, working a full-time job, paying bills, etc., STILL cannot better themselves until they are 23 because up until that point your eligibility for loans, grants, etc. is based on your parents income.

It just does not seem right to me. My parents did help with the 2 1/2 years of college that I had, but I had many friends whose parents did not, and had to drop out because they could not get enough loans/grants to cover tuition, even though they worked full time besides going to classes.

Personally I think that the independant age is set way to high for this day and age.

If a person really wants to go to school, they will do it. It might mean working your way thru school, going part time but it can be done. I know a girl in this exact situation....her parents want her to work in the family business and she wants to be an artist so they won't help her with school. She went to a local community college to get all of her general education credits out of the way cheap. She works part time at UPS for their tuition money and health insurance. During the summer she works with a childrens art program in the day and UPS at night, saving every penny she can. I know she managed to get about $2000 in scholarships for this year and she has about $4k lined up for next year. She is determined to graduate and she will.

Well, with my son we are close...his birthday is July 1984. It has taken him awhile to get through junior college. He is very dyslexic, but this is a great milestone for him. He'll get there. It is nice to know that more loan money may be available next year. Thanks again for your help.

Have a cute neighbor girl?

Besides marriage it is a difficult one, I'm one of the "Happy 18th, have fun paying for everything!" kids. Luckily they are nice enough to co-sign any loans for my education. Hopefully next year his EFC will prompt some pell grants!

It'll be an uphill battle to change the FAFSA.

But have you tried contact the schools financial aid department and appealing the independent status? The financial aid officers there have a lot of pull. I've had a lot of luck dealing with my schools financial aid officers, although my situations is much different. Might be worth a try if you haven't already.

If you do not meet the rules for independant status, an FA officer can do nothing. Documentation is required for any early change of status.

Yes, so unless you're married, or your parents abused you or are both in jail, you're stuck.

Untrue. Each school has the right to grant the student independent status separate from the fafsa's basic requirements. It has to be some extenuating circumstances though, but it is possible. I know someone who has been classified independant since he was 18. His father isn't alive but he still has his mother. Although she takes her medicine for borderline disorder (or something like that) she still has that government stamp for 'disabled' which grants him independent status.

Though probably not applicable, it does happen. At least have him talk to financial aid, it won't hurt.

Actually a disabled parent is NOT grounds for independant status. The university I worked for got tons of requests for independant status and this definately was not an acceptable circumstance. With that low an income the EFC based on the parents income would be zero.

Extenuating circumstances are abusive or incarcerated parents and even then you must have 3 party professional documentation.