<p>I attend a California community college and have received financial aid for the past year. I've been having some problems with my parents recently and need some information about independent/dependent status. I now live away from my parents, and I believed that this would qualify me as an independent student. I was sadly mistaken, and I do not meet any of the qualifications for independent status. My problem is that I am estranged from my parents and cannot get any information regarding their income, and so cannot complete my FAFSA. My father worked last year, and earned, I believe, over the amount required for him to file, but he has not filed, and likely will not. I can't even get my hands on his W-2s. Is there any way that I can still file my FAFSA legitimately, or somehow be listed as an independent? I cannot believe that living on my own and not receiving a dime from my parents does not qualify me as an independent. If there is any way around this, or any advice from anyone, it would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>If you haven't already done so, I would go directly to the financial aid office at your school, explain the situation to them and see if they can help you.</p>
<p>the federal government is very specific as to what constitutes dependency. If you have not met one of the following, you will not be considered independent for FAFSA purposes (sorry there is no way around it). </p>
<p>Were you born before Jan. 1, 1985? </p>
<p>At the beginning of the 2008–09 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate degree (such as an M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., or graduate certificate, etc.)?</p>
<p>Are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.) </p>
<p>Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you? </p>
<p>Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2009?</p>
<p>Are (a) both of your parents deceased or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court?</p>
<p>Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? (If you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee, are you on active duty for other than state or training purposes?)</p>
<p>Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?*</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I cannot believe that living on my own and not receiving a dime from my parents does not qualify me as an independent.>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Well...a couple of things.</p>
<p>First..I'm sorry for your situation. But there are good reasons why you don't qualify as an independent student.</p>
<p>If all it took was living separate from parents and supporting yourself, many many students would go that route.</p>
<p>Also...if you are truly supporting yourself, that means that you had the income to pay your community college bills last year (remember that financial aid considers what your income/assets, etc were for 2007 when computing aid for the 2008-2009 school year), and ALL of your living expenses including food, housing, medical insurance, transportation, clothing, etc. If you were able to pay all of those bills in 2007 without any assistance from your family, you should be able to pay them now for the upcoming year.</p>
<p>When did you realize that your parents were not going to be forthcoming with their financial information for the upcoming school year? You were able to file an estimated FAFSA on January 1, and could have updated it at any time with the accurate figures. I realize the community college deadlines are not as early as the four year universities, but this can't possibly be a "new" development.</p>
<p>Now...having said all of that, you certainly should discuss your situation with the financial aid office at your school. I hope they can at least give you some guidance on how you can get the financial aid forms completed.</p>
<p>I would also urge you to discuss this with your parents. See if you can get their help in completing the necessary information. If you got finaid this past year, they must have provided the information for that school year finaid application. Discuss with them how important this is...that you don't want the money, but you need their help in completing the forms...like they (presumably) did last year.</p>