<p>hey, i dont know much about financial aid or scholarships, so correct me if im wrong here, but - </p>
<p>usually when u go to college, the average person is 18 years old, legally an adult. if you claim yourself financially independent and separated from your parents, have everything signed in your name and not your parents name, maybe get a job as a fast food cook, making minimum wage, under 20 k a year, shouldnt you receive amazing financial aid packages or need based scholarships?</p>
<p>Knowing this, the federal government has cleverly redefined what it means to be "independent" for financial aid calculations (that is, because financial aid packages are based off of the FAFSA).</p>
<p>In order to be considered FINANCIALLY independent for undergraduate studies (which is not the same as no longer being a dependent on your parents' taxes), you must satisfy one or more of the following:</p>
<p>1) Be 24 or older
2) Be a veteran
3) Have a child (or any dependent who receives 1/2 or more of their support from you and will continue to live with you and receive that support through June 30 the end of the year in question)
4) Be married
5) Both parents are deceased or you were a ward of the court before you turned 18</p>
<p>you could get married, and just get divorced after the whole colleges admissions process is over.</p>
<p>lol.</p>
<p>I really have been on these boards too long. This question has been asked and answered more times than I can count. If it was that easy, everyone would do it! </p>
<p>Do a search on this forum for "financial independence" and you will see the answer many times...of course, undecided is more patient than I and has provided it for you.</p>
<p>I asked if there could be a sticky made with the proper information on it for all these folks who ask of being an Independent.</p>
<p>Le Sigh</p>
<p>does that apply only for public schools, or for all schools in the united states?</p>
<p>It applies to FAFSA which is the form you fill out for financial aid.</p>
<p>it applies to all schools, public and private. Private schools will not only require FAFSA, but they will ususually also require the Profile or their own financial forms.</p>
<p>there is not loophole -- no exception. No matter whether you have been supporting yourself for several years, you must meet the requirements that undecided posted to be financial independent for school purposes.</p>
<p>mildred -- a sticky would be a good idea, but i wondered if it would get noticed. Another good sticky (or maybe a combo) would be clarification on the "can I move to XYZ state and live there 6 months and get in-state residency" posts we also see all the time.</p>
<p>I don't think a sticky would help. Everybody thinks their situation is special.</p>