To Student or Not to Student

Paying for College
1

<p>My daughter says she'll get more aid if she files her own taxes (i.e. we no longer treat her as a dependent) and she files her FAFSA without referencing Parental support. It seems logical but I don't want to screw things up. If it means anything, we fall into the "high EFC ridiculously out of synch with reality" category.</p>

2

<p>Claiming or not claiming a child as a dependent on taxes has nothing to do with Financial aid. A student must include custodial parent (and custodial step parent if there is one) financial info on the FAFSA unless they are 24, a veteran, support a dependent child, were a ward of the court (before age 18), and orphan. </p>

<p>This is the case even if the parent will not be contributing any money to their child’s education.</p>

<p>In order for your child to be able to take out federal loans the FAFSA needs to be completed.</p>

<p>Some schools will also require additional forms be filled out in order to determine if the student will receive institutional aid.</p>

<p>:)</p>

3

<p>Should have said “or an orphan” above, not “and orphan.”</p>

4

<p>For her reference, barring extraordinary circumstances, she’ll be considered a dependent student for FAFSA unless she can answer yes to one of the qualifying questions (#45-57).</p>

<p><a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/2012-13CTF.pdf[/url]”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/2012-13CTF.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Excellent info guys, thanks! I learn something new every time I post.</p>