<p>I know that the forms I filled out asked me what my costs were (utilities, food, rent -- basic stuff) and ask me what my income was for the year (although they already had that, they ask again). if your costs add up to more than your income, they ask you to list how those costs were paid (parents, friends, credit cards, welfare, charity, student loans, non-reported income, etc). If you list any money coming in -- they add that to your income. For us, we had lived in our camper all summer, so that is how we were able to show that we had enough money to pay for our support.</p>
<p>I ask them about this process and they said it was a standard verification done for most people with low EFC. They can and do ask for proof of costs if they seem unusually low (one guy was really arguing with them -- he apparently claimed zero income but said he had an apartment, couldn't prove anything, though). So you don't want to claim rent of $100 if you can't prove it.</p>
<p>The FA officer says that people claim they are married, have kids, are independent, etc all the time and they know what inconsistencies to look for on the FAFSA and the college application (like listing your parents address as your contact address on the application and claiming that you supported yourself for the past year).</p>
<p>it was an eye opener!</p>