My status has changed dramatically since last year

Paying for College
1

<p>A year ago, I was making $1,500 a month after taxes, I was living on my own, and I wasn't going to school. In October I had to move back in with my parents. Come February, I don't have my nice financially stable job any more. I did find another one, making around $600 a month under the table, and now I'm going back to school. Due to my schedule conflicting with the hours at my new job, I'm down to working on the weekends, making around $300 a month. But since I'm not on any records, as far as any government is concerned, I'm unemployed.</p>

<p>I just found out that I can submit a form that can have my Financial Aid status reviewed. But on that sheet, it asks for my parent's income. My mom is currently on unemployment, and my dad has a decent paying job, but I don't expect any financial contribution from them whatsoever. I'm living in their house for no rent, so I can't complain too much. But it still puts me in the tricky situation of wondering if their income will affect my chances of additional financial aid.</p>

<p>I'm 24, and I have around $2,200 left from my loans. But I still have to get Health Insurance, which will be about $1,700, so I'm left with, after everything is said and done, $1,400 for the semester. I'm still trying for another job, but nothing looks too hopeful at the moment.</p>

<p>I guess what I need to know is, first, will my parent's income affect the decision even though I'm supposedly financially independent at 24, and second, if it does, (and I know this one will be very difficult to answer) what amount would give them cause not to increase my aid?</p>

2

<p>Is there any chance that is a generic form that is given to both dependent and independent students? I would call and speak to a financial aid counselor to see if independent students had to fill out the parental info.</p>

3

<p>If the student is at a private school, it’s possible that they use parent income data to award their own aid. If not, though, the form is probably aimed at dependent students - and an independent student would not need the parent info. You should call the aid office & ask!</p>

4

<p>I went down to the financial aid office and asked. It’s just a generic form, and I was told to just leave the area blank. Twenty-Four is the magic age!</p>