<p>Hi</p>
<p>If I'm not a dependent of my parents anymore (as certified by tax docs), then would my aid package increase??</p>
<p>I know that usually college doesn't give extra aid if your parents aren't willing to pay, but is this also true if you aren't dependent on them??</p>
<p>thnx</p>
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<p>Are you saying that you think you have independence for financial aid purposes because your parents do NOT declare you on their taxes? If so…that is NOT how you get independence for financial aid purposes. You are a dependent of your parents for financial aid unless you can answer YES to one of the following: have a bachelors degree, are an armed forces veteran, are over age 24, are married, have a dependent child you support, were in guardianship prior to age 18 (not your parents), are an orphan. If you are not able to honestly say YES to any of the above, you are a dependent for financial aid purposes. </p>
<p>Your tax filing status has no bearing on independence for financial aid.</p>
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<p>The wording has now changed. In the past you could be independent if you achieved your first bachelors. I guess with so many students going back to amend their degrees, you have to now be attending grad/professional school to be considered independent after getting your bachelors.</p>
<p>Thumper is correct, being certified independent via your parents tax documents will not make you independent for financial aid purposes.</p>
<p>The OP’s profile lists his/her age as 24.</p>
<p>If you are independent, you likely would get more aid because you likely don’t have a job that pays as much as your parents make and you haven’t had decades to build savings like your parents.</p>
<p>If you are independent, and if you don’t earn a lot of money, it is possible that you might qualify for more aid than you would if you were dependent. Much also depends on the school’s financial aid policies … some schools have more grant money to award than others.</p>
<p>What kind of schools are you applying to? Many schools don’t have their own grants to give. </p>
<p>If you don’t have a Bachelors degree and you are independent (by FAFSA rules), and you have a very low EFC, then you’ll get a Pell Grant (up to 5550 depending on EFC).</p>
<p>But, keep in mind, as a single independent person, if you have a decent income, the calculations expect you to put a good amount towards your COA…since your income should be directed towards room, board, tuition, personal expenses.</p>
<p>it really depends on the school because you are dealing with 2 separate issues. You may be considered independent regarding federal aid, but not necessarily independent regarding institutional aid. the school determines for itself how they distribute their money. Many schools have policies in place that if you start as a dependent student, you finish as a dependent student, regardless of being independent for federal aid.</p>
<p>While the OPs Profile says he/she is 24 years old, past posts discuss the questions/answers on the PSAT in fall 2010…which would make him a senior in high school now.</p>
<p>Regardless of info posted, the OP needs to understand that tax filing status has NOTHING to do with independence for financial aid…NOTHING.</p>
<p>Hmmm… OP also has “chance” threads from this winter indicating he/she is a senior in high school this year. These kids make it so hard for those trying to advise them when they post inconsistent information!</p>
<p>*If I’m not a dependent of my parents anymore (as certified by tax docs), *</p>
<p>first of all, tax forms do not “certify” who is a dependent for FAFSA purposes.</p>
<p>If you are a senior in high school (as suggested above), you are still a dependent unless you have a child that you support.</p>