Ok I have a bit of a dilemma regarding my financial aid. I’ll be 24 before the Dec 31 deadline so I’m considered independent, but I moved from OH to FL to stay w/ my parent and that’s who I’m using for residency for my Spring- Summer term. Now come Fall semester would I be independent to receive more aid or would I be dependent to receive residency. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You
When did you move? You might have established residency on your own if you moved before last Sept. You also may get to tie your residency to your parents since you are currently a dependent.
Financial aid independence and residency are two different tests anyway. You’ll have to check the Florida requirements to see if you are a resident for tuition purposes.
I moved around Christmas but my mom has been in FL since 2011 so that helps me automatically get the 12 month requirement to use for Spring & summer. So I get being able to use her for those 2 terms but I’m wondering could I use her for residency while being independent since they are different as you said? The Florida requirements on the board site are kind of confusing.
While you are dependent for financial aid purposes on the fafsa, were you financially dependent on your parents last year (did they provide more than 51% of your support?). Did they for 2013 or will they for 2014 claiming you as a dependent on their taxes
Have you been physically present in florida for the past 12 months?
@sybbie719 No I wasn’t dependent on my parent at all last year. So would it make more sense to just let my mom claim me on her taxes & then that way I’ll qualify for residency since I’m still of age for her to do so?
If you weren’t dependent on your mom for over 50% of your support, she can’t legally claim you as a dependent. It would be tax fraud. Just make sure you’re considering all the kinds of support. Is she paying for you to be on her medical and/or dental insurance? Things like that.
@annoyingdad I’m not on her insurance or anything, just on her phone bill & live with her now. So basically my only alternative would be to either pay out-of-state tuition for fall or sit out during the semester?
I think you have FL residency right now because of your mom.
If you apply now, you’re under 24, and your mom’s residency should trump anything else…but do ask.
It’s best to get your app in now.
I agree that is you start as a Florida resident and don’t change anything, it is unlikely they will throw you off the instate registration. If they do, it will only be for the fall semester, and then you’ll have your 1 year in as a resident on your own.
@mom2collegekids I submitted the app earlier today including all of her FL residency stuff. So I’m going to call tomorrow or Tues to clarify everything w/ them.
@twoinanddone that’s what I’m hoping for but I already switched everything to FL so it’ll only be for the fall.