<p>I amcurrently applying for financial aid, and under FAFSA criteria i am
classified as a "dependent"; however, i was wondering if there was anyway
i would qualify to be an"independent" because i am currently living on my
own and supporting myself with an income of little over $8000. If i do
qualify what steps do i have to take to become "independent" under FAFSA,
is their another paper work i have to file? Any advice would be
appreciated. T</p>
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<p>It is very difficult to qualify as “independent” for financial aid purposes if you do not meet the criteria set forth on the FAFSA (military veteran, ward of the state, married, supporting a dependent child, orphaned, having received a bachelors degree, over age 24). However, if there are very extenuating circumstances that have severed your relationship with your parents (think things like abuse, neglect and the like), my understanding is that the school financial aid officers have some discretion now to grant a dependency override. You would need to be able document why you are estranged from your family (for the reasons noted above…abuse etc), as well as ALL sources of financial support and expenses. This information would be presented to the financial aid folks AT YOUR COLLEGE. They would determine if a dependency override is justified.</p>
<p>BUT it’s not an easy thing to do.</p>
<p>Are you currently a college student who has been a dependent for financial aid purposes as a college student? If so, this just adds to the complexity. </p>
<p>Are you a high school student living on your own? How are you paying all of your housing and other expenses?</p>
<p>Are you carried as a person on ANYONE’S health and car insurance? Again…that might be a signal that you are not independent.</p>
<p>You will need to provide documentation for everything.</p>
<p>It’s very unlikely you will be able to be classified as independent for FA purposes. Living on your own and being self supporting does not qualify you as independent. You have to meet one of the criteria listed on FAFSA (quoted above by Thumper) or be able to prove some extreme situation that would qualify you for a dependency override. This is not easy to do.</p>
<p>But living on your own, being self supporting, and/or not being claimed on your parent taxes will not qualify you as independent for FA.</p>