<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am an independent student and I did not work this year so I won't be receiving a W-2. Because of this I won't be able to file my taxes. Will I still be able to file my FAFSA? I need the financial aid more then ever right now and I'm worried that I won't be able to get it. I know there is an option that says "will not file taxes" but I'm not sure if they will allow me to go further with my application if I select that option. Please help! Thanks!</p>
<p>Interesting situation. I’m curious on the answer to this. People always mention “you have to list all the money received from parents or other outside sources”… but I’ve filed Fafsa a few times just to get the feel of it and there didn’t seem to be any spot that specifically demanded for outside financial assistance… because in reality you don’t have to list your parents financials at all… I donno… just a side comment</p>
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<p>I would recommend that you go back and review your FAFSA.</p>
<p>Question 44J on the FAFSA</p>
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<p>Oh alright cool, question 44J huh? I’ll have to check that out again. Thanks for the direction. (Didn’t mean to thread jack!)</p>
<p>Any money paid on your behalf has to be listed as other untaxed income. If your name is on the lease, if you have insurance or credit card in your name, if someone gives you tuition money … these all have to be reported. The only time that the tuition money would not be reported is if you were dependent last year - your parents were expected to pay for your tuition - so you wouldn’t need to report that in your first year as independent. </p>
<p>Basically, if you didn’t work and if you lived on the kindness of others and/or financial aid refunds, it’s not all that unusual. You would fill out a non tax filer statement and most likely be asked to complete a form outlining your financial assistance. The school can help you find the correct forms to complete if you are selected for verification.</p>
<p>There’s nothing stopping you from filling out and filing a tax form even if you are not required to based on your income.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the helpful replies. I thought that it was necessary to file your taxes in order to file for fafsa. I feel much better now. I’ve been an independent student for two years now and I’ve never been in this situation. I’ve been living with my boyfriend since then and he has been helping me out this year so I can focus on my studies. I didn’t want him to file me as a dependent of his because I also have help from my parents. Hopefully all will go well and I will continue to receive my student loans! Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Just curious as to what happened with your financial aid, were you still able to get it? I am in the same situation right now and wondering how that works.</p>