What counts as household income?

If a 21 yr old is renting a space in a friend’s family’s house and is not being financially supported by his family or friend’s family, does he just put his own income for FAFSA?

I just found the answer online. It was no, parents’ income is required unless student is at least 24. Correct me if I’m wrong. Also can anyone explain to me why a financially independent adult is counted as a dependent for financial aid???

“Also can anyone explain to me why a financially independent adult is counted as a dependent for financial aid”

Because otherwise a lot of students would claim to be independent in order to get more financial aid.

I am not at all happy about the way that need based aid is computed in the US, but at least this one part I can understand.

@DadTwoGirls Then why don’t they make the age 30 or 35? Then they’d get to keep aid from even more independent adults. Yeah, more students would get to “claim” independence, because they are independent.

EDIT: And apparently, this student would count as independent if they got married??

@soontobecolleger

It’s the way it is. Until an undergrad student is 24 years old, they are required to include parent information on the financial aid application forms.

If there is an extenuating circumstance, younger students can ask the school for a dependency override…but the circumstance would need to be very severe and significant. Simply being self supporting is NOT a reason.

Is there a compelling reason why you must live at a friend’s house? Parental abuse or neglect, for example?

For state aid in NY, a student has to be 35 to be considered independent. The federal rules are a deal in comparison.