<p>I am a student looking to transfer from a small, private liberal arts institution because of a financial situation. Whereas my household income exceeds $200,000, my father has spent most of his income on a woman he is having an affair with. He has been behind on tuition payments to the point where I nearly had to miss enrollment three times. He has recently taken on a new job and I expect his income to increase substantially, which would likely knock out my institutional financial aid. Because he is diverting most of his income away from our household and to another, however, his increased income will likely not benefit me in any way.</p>
<p>It is helpful that I am an independent student for federal aid purposes, due to my status as a veteran of the armed forces. My current institution does not, however, consider me independent for purposes of institutional aid because veteran status does not satisfy their enumerated criteria for independent status. So if it is not clear, I am looking to transfer to a school that would consider me a veteran and moreover an independent student for financial aid purposes, thus potentially affording me a larger financial aid package (as schools that meet full-need, for example, would). I have done extensive research, and most schools have very strict, limited guidelines for independent status, some even limiting it to students who are completely independent and unclaimed on taxes for five years. Basically all of the Ivies and elite LACs would exclude me, it seems, but so far Ive found that GWU (which adheres to the Title IV guidelines for their institutional aid) would consider me a veteran.</p>
<p>From someone who has a great deal of experience with financial aid (perhaps as a former officer, worked in a financial aid office, received financial aid, etc.), I am seeking some guidance. Are there schools---preferably need-based, full-need schools---that would recognize me as a veteran for institutional aid purposes? Do you know of them? Would the fact that I was not considered an independent student for purposes of institutional aid at my previous school preclude me from qualifying as independent for purposes of institutional aid at my new institution, even if I otherwise satisfy their institutional criteria for independent status? Is there any other advice that you can offer?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>