<p>Im applying for a college, I am able to answer yes to Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you. It says if I answer yes I dont have to supply parent info. My baby is due in May. I havent lived at home since July 2006. Legally can my parents still claim me on their income tax return without it affecting my Fafsa application. I am currently receiving Mass Health and WIC. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks</p>
<p>Whether your parents claim you on their taxes is a totally different issue than whether you're considered dependent or independent for FAFSA purposes. Totally different criteria for each.</p>
<p>So-- if you have a child (on the date FAFSA is filed) who received more than half his/her support from you, you qualify as independent (regardless of whether you live with your parents) for FAFSA purposes.</p>
<p>The dependency issue for tax purposes requires that you meet the following four tests:</p>
<p>• Relationship test: The child must be your child, either by birth, adoption or by being placed in your home as a foster child. Even if the adoption isn't yet final, if the child is living with you and the process is under way, it counts. A dependent child can also be your brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister or a descendent of one of these relatives.</p>
<p>• Residency test: The child must live with you for more than half of the year. If the youth is away temporarily for special circumstances, such as for school, vacation, medical treatment, military service or detention in a juvenile facility, these particular absences still count as time lived at home. A child who was born or died during the year is considered to have lived with you for the entire year if your home was the child's home for the entire time he or she was alive during the year.</p>
<p>• Age test: A child must be under a certain age, depending on the particular tax benefit. For the dependency exemption, the child must be younger than 19 at the end of the year. However, a youth who was a student at the end of the year can be claimed as long as he or she is under age 24. There is no age limit where the individual is permanently and totally disabled.</p>
<p>• Support test: This refers to the youngster's contributions, not those of adults in the family. To qualify as a dependent, the child cannot provide more than half of his or her own support during the year.</p>
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<p>As always, best to get tax advice from a tax professional. Discussion board advice is free, but sometimes you get what you pay for. :)</p>
<p>Ok I guess what I am asking is if my parents claim me for 2006, will it effect any state aide I may be eligible for in school funding? Can <if i="" am="" an="" independent="" per="" fafsa="" guidelines=""> the state use my parents 2006 income tax return against me if my SS# is on it? As stated before I am expecting in May 17, and the application will be in by then.</if></p>
<p>If you are applying as an independent, your income and assets will determine your aidpackage for federal aid even if you are a dependent on your parents' return. However, it is possible that some state and college monies may have stipulations. Each state has its own rules as to how it distributes its funds, and you need to check those rules. Colleges that do not use Fafsa alone can do anything they please as to determining how to give their money. I have seen grad students and those over 24 being asked for their parents income when it comes to school funds. </p>
<p>One question that will be on the FAFSA is the financial support you did receive from your parents last year. That is considered part of your income. </p>
<p>Because you are pregnant, you can go ahead and file as an independent with your unborn child as your dependent even before the birth.</p>