<p>So here's the situation. I am a 23 year old wanting to head back to college. My parents divorced right after I was born.</p>
<p>My mom remarried but My dad didn't. He died in 2009 which is why I left school initially, now I want to go back. </p>
<p>They're making me claim a parent. How do I claim my father even though he's dead? Yea my mother remarried but I don't live with her. My father died after I was 18.... Will I have to claim my mother and her new husband or can I claim my father?</p>
<p>^I don’t think you can be a dependent of the deceased parent.</p>
<p>Why don’t you wait one year until you are 24 since you are already 23, then you are considered independent. If not and it MUST be a return this year, then your mom and her new husband.</p>
<p>The rules are that you are dependent until age 24. Read the FAFSA definitiion of dependence and you’ll see. So you are not only dependent, you are the dependent of your mother AND stepfather, whether you or they like it . Them’s the rules. You need all of their income and asset information to get any subsidies. If you wait until you are 24, you are independent.</p>
<p>IN order for you to claim independence on the basis of a deceased parent, both of your parents would have to be deceased. Since only your dad is deceased, you are a dependent for federal aid purposes of the surviving parent; your mother.</p>
<p>When will you turn 24? </p>
<p>Will you be 24 on or before December 31, 2013? </p>
<p>If not, apply to school for the 2014-2015 school year. When you file the FAFSA on 1/1/2014, you will be able to apply as an independent student since you will be turning 24 in 2014.</p>
<p>Otherwise, you will have to use the income/assets of your mom & stepdad</p>