<p>I figured that I could post this here because I doubt that many students in the non-Transfer pages are independent students. Is any one else here an independent student?</p>
<p>I am an independent student about to start the transfer process from a community college. I would like to know how did you work out your financial aid situation? </p>
<p>According to the FAFSA thier definition of independent and mine are radically different. I am not considered indpendent because I am not yet 24, married, have dependents, etc. How did your reconcile your Fafsa status and your actual status with your 4 year college?</p>
<p>Also do you know if those Ivy and Top 10 (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, etc) still give out those great packages for free like (free if your parents make under 45k) if you are independent? I mean regardless my mother makes under 45, 000 anyway but its not like she will be supporting me at that point?</p>
<p>Hi Vanessa, there are a lot of students that fall in this category. I had the same problem as you. I have been financially independant since 16 but the universities do not see it this way. My parents income was always counted toward my school expenses even though they never paid for anything. I tried everything to get around it but I just couldn't find a way. I was able to get the BOGG waiver because that defines independant differently.</p>
<pre><code> O/P. the rules for the FAFSA and the rules for the real world are different. The FAFSA folks would totally consider you not an independent. You would have to look it up when you make your list of schools, but some financial aid office heads will decide to deem you an independent if you have valid verifible proof. And, normally, there is a hardship story behind the valid verifible proof.
For example, if you were under 24 and your younger siblings legal guardian, and both your parents were dead. Then that is a totally hardship case that a financial aid office head would look kindly upon and then you could get a waiver from being considered a dependent student. Another example of a hardship case, which is almost the norm where I live, would be if you support yourself, live alone, and if your mother lived somewhere else and was on welfare and if your dad was a deadbeat dad.
You see what I mean? It is a hard thing to get around. Since there is a law about to go into effect before too long where everything you put on your FAFSA is double checked with the IRS, I would just be totally honest and open about my situation not only on the FAFSA but also to the fin aid department heads. If you have your list of schools in gear, then start making general information inquiry e mails to the fina aid department heads, and see what you can do.
I am totally an independent because I support myself and am older than 24 years of age and I have even had fin aid department folks ask about my parents (who are dead) and if I had anyone claiming me on their taxes (uh, heck no).
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<p>I showed proof of rent payments and lease along with my personal tax statements showing me claiming myself and they said I was still not independant. It is pretty tough but maybe not impossible. Definitely don't lie about anything as the above poster stated. The BOGG is the Board of Governers waiver which waives tuition if you are an independant student who makes under a certain income. I am in California though so you may not have something like this. I would ask about a tuition waiver though since sometimes those need to be applied for seperately.</p>
<p>I'm independent-live alone,support myself, no financial support from family members,etc. but my dad earns BIG $$$. So unfortunately I'm going to be in some deep sh !t for the next 3 years.</p>
<p>I wont be surprised if i got no grants/scholarships for the upcoming school year.</p>
<p>Seriously- I'm going to get married next year if i dont get any aid for the 06/07 school year.</p>
<p>lol that would be too obvious. You dont want them to make them the least bit suspicious. I'll just find a regular college chick. She has to be cute though.</p>
<p>That BOGG thing sounds nice though. I'm glad one of he schools i'm looking into(stanford) is in Cali. I'll look into other states that have this.</p>