<p>There are income ceilings for FAFSA for given scenarios, but there are so many factors to be considered that you are not going to find a chart to use. You have to run figures through the calculators to find out what your family’s particular income ceiling is. That is because things like assets, parents’ ages, number of dependents all determine that ceiling. </p>
<p>However, as others have said, in order to get the PELL grant which is the only money that is ensured by FAFSA, you need an EFC of about $5K. Other factors come into play, particularly the college involved, your home state before any other money come into the picture. </p>
<p>In order to declare yourself independent, you have to meet other criterion such as age 24, dependency (are you married or have kids?), being a veteran. The requirements are listed with FAFSA instructions. Few kids qualify.</p>