<p>Hello, </p>
<p>I've been receiving financial aid for 3 years now as a dependent under my parents. My father lost his job last year and my sister, who lives in the same home, recently filed her taxes with me as a dependent. How would I go about completing the FAFSA since I am not legally independent of my parents. Should I still put their tax information? Thank you!</p>
<p>Yes, you still file FAFSA as a dependent student unless you are over 24, have a child, or meet any of the other reasons to qualify independent. You will use your parent’s income information on the FAFSA. Does your sister support you? Is that why she claimed you on her taxes? If you are getting financial support from her, you may have to list that as well on the FAFSA.</p>
<p>Dependency for tax purposes, and dependency for FAFSA are two different things. Read through the FAFSA instructions carefully, and follow what it says. It is entirely possible for you to be your sister’s dependent for taxes, but your parents’ dependent for FAFSA.</p>
<p>Here is the problem I see with your sister claiming you on her taxes. #1 there is now a record of this. The federal government is now aware that you sister is supplying you with money to survive. #2 This can be reportable on your FAFSA under “student income” Because this is “Money received, or paid on your behalf (e.g., bills), not reported elsewhere on this form.” #3 This increase in income could affect your overall award (depending on what she made and “gave” to you.)</p>
<p>Complete your FAFSA form as your parents dependent, check off that your parent is a dislocated worker, and to be safe I would check to see what amount you have to include under that special income part. My guess is any financial aid officer will tell you to estimate this amount. So as a technicality. </p>
<p>Cost of living + food + bill/total number of people in the house = the money your sister provided to you.</p>
<p>The student only needs to report money that is “given” to him … such as money for bills in HIS name (credit card, insurance) or money for school. Support in the form of housing or food is NOT reported.</p>
<p>In this case, the student is dependent for aid purposes regardless of who claims him on the tax return.</p>