<p>In January, I will be filling out the FAFSA as an independent student. When the application asks questions such as "how many people in your household attend college?" would I answer 1, even though I have a younger sibling who just started university? What about people in my household? We're a family of four, but would I answer 1 for that as well? Moreover, do I need to include any parental information on the FAFSA? I still live with my parents. I'm a non-traditional student, attend community college, and have a part-time job. I realize that I will not be declared a dependent student for FAFSA purposes, but will the application completely skip over anything related to my parents? I still do receive some financial support from them; so, will I need to report that?</p>
<p>You answer based on YOUR household. If you are independent…and have no dependents, etc…you have a household of ONE…YOU. </p>
<p>Yoir sister is not a member of your household for financial aid purposes. </p>
<p>In terms of parent information…read your other thread. There are some states which require the parent info to be entered, but it is not used on the FAFSA calculation for federally funded need based aid. Also, some colleges will ask for parent information. If you are prompted to put in the parent incom then do it. If not, skip it.</p>
<p>If your parents are paying bills in your name on your behalf, you need to report that under money paid on the student’s behalf. So if your cell phone bill or car payment is in YOUR name, and your parents pay that bill…you need to include those amounts. If your cell phone is part of your parent family plan, you don’t. If the car payment is in your parent name and you use the car…you don’t report it.</p>