<p>okay so my parents have always claimed me as a dependent in their taxes so this past fall when i applied for financial aid, i used their taxes. Well recently i started working part time and am now responsible for my own expenses. Is there any way that i could change my dependent/independent status midyear? & would it be effective immediately? As of right now, financial aid is not even giving me enough for gas or even my books for the semester so that would be a major help for me. HELP!</p>
<p>How old are you? If you’re 24, then you can be independent.</p>
<p>If you’re under 24 and not married, then you’re still considered dependent. It doesn’t matter that you’re now responsible for your own expenses. </p>
<p>You need to explain to your parents that you have to be considered a dependent so you can’t get more aid because of their income. </p>
<p>you may also need to take out a student loan.</p>
<p>It makes no difference whether you are claimed on your parents taxes or not, or if you are earning your own income. You are a dependent student for financial aid purposes until you turn 24 unless you meet one of the other criteria (get married, have a dependent of your own that you support more than 50%, are a veteran etc).</p>
<p>You will have to continue to provide your parents financial information as well as your own each year, and your FA will be determined using that information.</p>