<p>Hello, i plan on going to school january or may 2010. I was about to file a fafsa, and then i thought. Would i be able to get more fafsa, (or other need base aid) if i was living independent from my parents, and being a low-income/ student?</p>
<p>You cannot choose to file as independent just because you live on your own. You must be able to answer Yes to at least one of the dependency status questions: [FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before015.htm]FAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before015.htm). Select 2009-10 Dependency Status Worksheet. If you can’t answer yes to any question, you must file as a dependent student, including your parents’ income & asset info.</p>
<p>i dont understand. if iam living on my own with no financial backing from my parents, how am i still a dependent?</p>
<p>FAFSA asks a series of dependency questions. (Age 24 or over, married, a veteran, have a dependent of your own you support 50% etc). Unless you can answer yes to one of them you are a dependent for financial aid purposes. None of them ask whether you live on your own or support yourself. My son lived independently working full time and renting his own place and paying his own bills for 2 1/2 years. When he returned to school at 22 he was still considered our dependent for financial aid purposes. Next year when he turns 24 he will be independent.</p>
<p>thanks for the clarification</p>