<p>I'm finally at the age (24) where my EFC is calculated without using my parent's income. Ironically, I also moved in with my parents last year in an effort to focus on returning to school. Seeing as how I made roughly $5k on paper last year, my EFC was determined as 0 and I recieved a generous financial aid package from my community college.</p>
<p>Now that I am preparing for transfer, I am counting on financial aid, as this (loans included) is the only way of funding my education. Seeing as how I haven't worked at all this year (a luxory I'm very grateful for), can I expect my EFC to again be 0? The only way I can see this not being the case is if they want to take into account my parent's income, due to the fact that they helped support me this year (although I was not claimed on their taxes). Or is this entirely irrelavant b/c I'm 24 years old?</p>
<p>Thanks for any help anyone can provide.</p>
<p>P.S. Just a side note, but I don't want people to get the impression I'm abusing the finanical aid system. Ever since high school I was denied any aid due to my stepfather's income, who made it clear he was not going to help out at all with my tuition. I continued to be denied aid when I moved out at 20 and was forced to list my parents' income on my FAFSA even though I wasn't getting a dime from them. Bottom line is I'm unable to attend college without financial assistance, hence my applying for financial aid.</p>