<p>Hello, I'm a current college sophomore. My parents just told me that I was filed under independent with regards to taxes. </p>
<p>I am self-supporting in college and spend a maximum of maybe three weeks out of the year at home.</p>
<p>What does being independent actually mean for FAFSA and financial aid? What are its implications?</p>
<p>Thank you for your answers.</p>
<p>You are not independent for FAFSA unless you are aged 24, married, have a dependent of your own, are a veteran, working on a masters or doctorate, are on active duty, both parents are dead or you were a ward of the court before aged 18. It does not matter that you were not claimed as a dependent for tax purposes or that you are self supporting at college. The dependency criteria for FAFSA and for taxes are not the same.</p>
<p>Completing</a> the FAFSA 08-09/The Application Questions(48-55)</p>
<p>Swimcats is correct. For financial aid purposes you will be considered a dependent. The criteria for tax dependency and financial aid dependency are very different.</p>
<p>Thank you for your answers!</p>