<p>So, I'm in a bit of a strange occurrence. I'm a recently turned 21 year old dependent student who will begin her freshman year at a UC in the fall...so my question is: Will my financial aid package change (be lowered) as I get older? As I recall there is a certain age at which you are determined as an independent student? Also would grants be affected? Cal grant or Pell grant?</p>
<p>If you’re an independent student, you’d actually be eligible for <em>more</em> aid, not less, unless as a student you’re making a whole bunch of money for some reason. When I made the jump from dependent to independent, I ended up getting max Pell.</p>