<p>Pete–it’s not that they go back to different dates for different info. It’s just that he turns 24 this year, so any school attended during the 09-10 year reflects his independent status, but if the school attaches summer funds (if any) to the previous school year (the o8-09 year), he’d still be dependent for that.</p>
<p>That he’s lived independently previously doesn’t matter; it’s all about the specific definitions of what makes one independent according to FAFSA.</p>
<p>I believe that the same EFC’s trigger the same aid amounts (Pell, and unsub loans) whether the filer is dependent or independent; the difference is how the EFC’s are calculated.</p>