<p>It is more than just having a child. She must be providing at least 50% of the support for her child for her to be considered an independent for FAFSA. </p>
<p>How schools verify or judge this may vary. There was a student who posted a few weeks back who had had no problem being considered independent at her CC for financial aid. When she transferred to a bigger school they would not consider her as independent because she could not show income that they considered made it possible for her to be providing 50% of her child’s support.</p>