<p>I filled out the FAFSA yesterday and got some pretty startling results. Namely, in spite of having no income at all, I got an EFC of 1589 (obviously, I was expecting 0). </p>
<p>Something strange happened though: about halfway through, it said "based on your answers, we have determined that you are an INDEPENDENT student. As such, you do not need to enter your parent's information. Would you like to, anyway?" I chose "No", just hoping to streamline the process, but I think that might have been a mistake. I'm 23, and I do live with them; I had heard before that everyone under 24 is considered a dependent by FAFSA standards. </p>
<p>At any rate, I'm not working right now, so I have no income at all; but the 2006 AGI I entered into the FAFSA was $10180. My parents (whose info I didn't enter) are both disabled and live on meager Social Security income. Neither of them even graduated high school, and we have no assets at all in the form of savings or property.</p>
<p>I can't understand this decision! My girlfriend (who put in her parent's info despite not having lived with them for the last six years) had an AGI two times greater than mine, and even coupled with her parent's income, she had an EFC of 0.</p>
<p>Can anyone explain the reasoning that went on here? Is there anything I can do to repair this? Should I wait until it finishes processing and then resubmit, this time including my parent's info?</p>
<p>I'll be doing so today, but seeing as I'm awake and worrying about it, I figured I'd post on here to see if I can (even temporarily) get any peace of mind.</p>
<p>I ran your numbers -- independent, income you put above -- and it came out with an EFC of $1421.</p>
<p>if you think about it -- it makes sense. You are 23 years old (soon to be 24) and you have no wife or dependents. You are perfectly capable of making $1421 to contribute to you education. That is half of what many 17 and 18 year old high school students are required to earn during the summer as their contribution.</p>
<p>if you live with your parents -- why can't you come up with the EFC? you will have a very, very hard time convincing a financial aid officer that it needs to be lowered. </p>
<p>As far as being dependent or independent, if you will be 24 by December 31st, 2007 you are independent and cannot file as a dependent. The same goes for your girlfriend -- you don't get to choose whether you file dependent or independent. your girlfriend just happens to be younger than you, I assume.</p>
<p>for your girlfriend, the EFC is what her family is expected to pay (since she is dependent) and is based on total income, assets and number of dependents. I can't tell you why she ended up with an EFC of zero, though. She should have had a higher EFC if her personal AGI was double yours.</p>
<p>it did that to me last year...the lady at my financial aid changed it thought all you have to do is talk to them because you school financial aid office should also have their own application and they can judge what needs to be done.</p>