<p>I'm 23 and I turn 24 in March 2011. I will be applying for Fall 2011 as soon as I possibly can and I'm wondering, when I fill out the financial aid forms, will I have to be a dependent student or will I be independent? I know for the nearest university, priority deadline for FAFSA for the fall is February 15th 2011, a month before I turn 24!</p>
<p>I realize I have time to worry about this, but I'm a natural worrywart and obsessive planner so I'm trying to guesstimate how much money I need before next fall.</p>
<p>It is based on you turning 24 before the end of the calendar year, not your actual birth date. So if you turn 24 before the end of 2011 then for the 2011-2012 FAFSA you will be independent.</p>
<p>Thanks! That’s awesome news.</p>
<p>One more question…if they don’t offer me max amount of loans to begin with, which I bet they will because I’m broke as a joke, will I be able to take out the max Stafford loan anyway?</p>
<p>Hoping to avoid too many loans, but again, just trying to plan for every eventuality.</p>
<p>Yes, as long as you file fafsa you should be eligible to borrow up to the independent student limits as long as that, coupled with other FA, doesn’t exceed the COA.</p>
<p>thank you so much…one more question…</p>
<p>I’m going to attend community college this fall for the cheaper expense and I was wondering how financial aid would work for me since I turn 24 in the spring. Will I be dependent THIS semester and independent NEXT semester or dependent the whole year?</p>