<p>I'm an incoming freshman at an in state flagship university, and this year I was fortunate enough to receive a full tuition package for four years because my household made about $30,000 last year. Out of that $30,000 though, my stepdad had to pay 29% of his unemployment income to his ex-wife, dropping our income to about 25,000. Because of this low income, I was also eligible for another financial aid package that covered room and board as well, so all I have to pay for is other expenses such as food, supplies, books, etc.</p>
<p>About two months after I filed the FAFSA, my stepdad got a job that barely pays more than his unemployement did. What I'm worried about is that the fact that he got a job would alter the EFC enough that I wouldn't be eligible for the other financial aid for room and board.</p>
<p>My question is, because my parents aren't able (and aren't willing) to contribute any money whatsoever to my education, would I be able to claim myself as a dependent on my taxes and not have to report the household income on the FAFSA?</p>
<p>How you declare yourself on your taxes or your parents taxes has NOTHING to do with how you do the FAFSA for financial aid. You will be required to put your mom and stepdad’s incomes and assets on the FAFSA regardless of what you put on the tax forms. This is required of ALL students who are dependent for FINANCIAL AID purposes…and you are. There are some questions on the FAFSA form…and if you can answer YES to them (honestly) then you would be considered independent for FINANCIAL AID purposes…so…</p>
<p>Are you…a veteran, married, have a dependent who YOU support, were a ward of the state at any time prior to age 18, are an orphan, have a bachelors degree or are you over the age of 24?</p>
<p>If you can’t answer YES to one of the above questions…your parent/stepdad info WILL be required regardless of how you file your taxes as you will be deemed dependent for FINANCIAL aid purposes.</p>
<p>No. You will be an dependent student (you will have to report your family income) unless you meet one of these criteria:</p>
<p>1) you’re 24 or older
2) you’ve already completed a bachelor’s degree and are attending grad/professional school
3) you’re married
4) you’re a military veteran or currently on active military duty
5) you’re supporting a child of your own
6) you were a ward of the state/in a legal guardianship before age 18</p>
<p>I still think that the FAFSA should take into account people that are 18 and pretty much on their own financially. If they aren’t getting any help financially from their parents, why should their parents’ income matter?</p>
<p>Easy answer…then EVERYONE’s parents would simply say “I’m not going to pay.”</p>
<p>The FAFSA formula determines WHAT you will minimally be required to pay…not IF you choose to do so. That is a choice. Certainly if your family doesn’t WANT to pay but can…then you will have to figure out alternative options for getting a college degree. </p>
<p>Remember too…the FAFSA is primarily used to determine eligibililty for federally funded NEED BASED aid. Are you suggesting that families who do NOT have financial need should be given aid because they simply say “I’m not going to pay?” That just isn’t how it works.</p>
<p>I understand that there needs to be a measurement for need based aid, but what about the students who are completely independent of their parents (not living at home, no financial support)? If they can prove that no aid is given to the student, of course.</p>
<p>You would need to prove that you are accepting NO money towards your support to even try to gain independent status…nada. The FAFSA requires you to list money paid on your behalf. </p>
<p>Do you REALLY think that you would be able to earn enough money to fully support yourself…INCLUDING your college costs, any insurances (car/health), food, utilities, transportation, books, discretionary spending?</p>
<p>Also, the income protection allowance for independent students is very low meaning that YOUR income (which presumably you would be earning to support yourself since no one else would be) would be VERY highly assessed for financial aid purposes. You might find (as others have) that you would be LESS eligible for need based aid as a working independent student than as a dependent with lower income parents.</p>
<p>I do NOT agree with you at all. Sure, there are some cases where students are fully supporting themselves…and yes, college costs are a challenge to them. BUT how do you propose the federal government police who is actually doing this by necessity and who is doing this JUST so that someone else will pick up part of their college tab?</p>
<p>There are many lower cost options for completing college for those who truly cannot afford to attend. Work and attend school part time, do your gen ed requirements at a community college, work and save money…and attend school after you are 24. Lots of options…but in my opinion, getting need based aid simply because your family is unwilling to pay their contribution should not be a choice. Sorry.</p>
<p>I understand that there needs to be a measurement for need based aid, but what about the students who are completely independent of their parents (not living at home, no financial support)? If they can prove that no aid is given to the student, of course.</p>
<p>If this were possible, I’d explain to my HS senior son that the plan would be to take a gap year, move out, get a job, and enter college independently the following year. Where else could he earn $250k after tax over four years with no skills? Every family around the country would be having the same conversation. </p>
<p>Think about it. It would be completely unworkable.</p>
<p>^^^^^^ You beat me to it. Remember the money that pays for Pell grants and subsidized student loans comes from taxpayers. Someone has to pay for it.</p>
<p>Let us say someone tells you “uwrobi, I need a car but I am not willing to pay for it, so let the whole neighborhood chip in $10 each and with 3000 neighbors, I can buy myself a great car without putting a single dollar in myself”. Would you do it? I don’t think so. If you are really needy someone may chip in but expect you to chip in something, but if the issue is you do not want to spend the money, then why should anyone else.</p>