<p>WHere do you get that idea? For FAFSA it has nothing to do with when your school starts. Only with when your birthdate is and which school year you are applying for aid for. </p>
<p>For the 2010-2011 school year (the current one) the relevant FAFSA is the 2010-2011 FAFSA. On the 2010-2011 FAFSA students born before January 1st 1987 are independent.</p>
<p>For the 2011-2012 school year (the next one) the relevant FAFSA will be the 2011-2012 FAFSA. On that FAFSA the question will change so that students born before January 1st 1988 will be independent. That FAFSA is not available until January 1st 2011.</p>
<p>So with a birthdate of Sept 11, 1987 you are a dependent for the entire 2010-2011 school year. But you will be independent for the entire 2011-2012 school year. (for FAFSA).</p>