Why am i not an independent?

Paying for College
1

<p>This questions has been disturbing me for years. I have not lived with my parents for 4 years at least. I know for a fact that they havent claimed me as a dependent for at least two of those years. I am currently 21, I live in southern California and they are in central Pennsylvania. I receive some Christmas money from them but this is the extent of any financial support I receive from them, yet I am not eligible for Pell grants because my father makes too much money. I work for starbucks and can barely make rent sometimes. Its frustrating that I want/need to go to school and have such a financial burden. My bestfriends father makes more, if not, the same as my father, has only two children, whereas my father has 4, and he even received grants. It just doesnt make sense.</p>

<p>there has to be a way to prove you are in no way supported by your parents. its just not fair, at all.</p>

2

<p>[Dependent</a> VS. Independent Status | FAFSA Form & Financial Aid Form Blog<a href=“this%20is%20NOT%20the%20official%20fafsa%20site,%20but%20I%20thought%20is%20spelled%20things%20out%20well”>/url</a></p>

<p><a href=“http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/attachments/DependencyOverrides.pdf[/url]”>http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/attachments/DependencyOverrides.pdf](<a href=“Everything You Need to Know About FAFSA | Edvisors”>Everything You Need to Know About FAFSA | Edvisors)</a></p>

<p>this is from an ‘official’ gov site</p>

3

<p>These rules may sound unfair, but just think about what would happen if every student could be independent at age 18. Rich parents would cut their kids off so they could qualify for financial aid, while sneaking them money under the table.</p>

4

<p>You have to be 24 or be married or have a child to be considered independent.</p>

5

<p>It’s not enough to just have a child … you also have to be able to prove that you provide at least half the support.</p>