FAFSA - I'm independent, so why did I have to enter my parent's info?

Question

I have a feeling that's why my EFC is 5902... which is nearly ALL of my income.

My family won't be helping me at all, and I'll be working less... but there is no way to tell FAFSA that I don't have parent help. If I don't enter any information, they don't let me continue, and there's no option saying that I'm on my own, is there?

I haven't lived with my parents for years now, and they don't aid me in any way. So why should their income lessen my chances of success?

I called the lady at my school's financial aid office.

Looks like I'm SOL, but California has the Board of Governer's Waiver, which means my classes might be free, as long as I'm not claimed on my parent's tax forms. Which I'm not. Good.

In any case, I think FAFSA should get it together and realize that there's a lot of under 25 year olds who are going to end up stuck in retail because we can't afford school and working full time, and not everyone has parents who want to help them.

Answer 1

did you fill this out yourself? You are an independent student and their income doesn't count. If an FA advisor did it for you, inform them of the error for go to their superior and have it fixed. It can be amended. When I fill out mine, I check independent and do not fill out the information at all.

Answer 2

When you fill out the question about if you are married, it is AS the day you fill out the form. So if you are engaged today and you fill out the form today, you are not married and would still be single and dependent. If you wait to fill out the form after you are married, then you would be married and dependent. I am thinking and wondering...... If you got married in a state that DID recognize it and MORE IMPORTANTLY could produce a marriage certificate to the schools fin aid office that they might be satisfied with that documenation as independent. (How you file your previous years taxes has no bearing on your FAFSA, by the way.) I would call the FAFSA helpline and ask about your same sex marriage situation. 1-800-4FEDAID One more thing, if you truly can not get your parents info, you can still fill out the fafsa without the required information, however.... you will not be considered for any kind of need based aid at all. (No free grants or work study or subsidized loans). Without the folks info, when you are classified as dependent all you will be offered is Unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Answer 3

You should be able to send the school a letter explaining you situation. Make sure you talk to someone in the finacial aid office who can give you some real answers not a receptionist or student worker. Try talking to a finicial aid advisor or assistant director. Second, go to a tax specialist and try to defer (write off) some of your income then resubmit your taxes followed by your fasfa. You would be suprised what you can write off. Look for past military service in your family there are scores of scholorships exclusive to veteran family members this includes nephews and grandchildren. I had to do all this kind of stuff when I got out of the military and started school. I had just gotten back from Iraq and I was penilized for FA purposes by all the extra pay I made while I was in that zone. I hope all this helps.

Answer 4

I work in Financial Aid and many schools work differently. Unfortunately, schools like the one where I work go by the book and follow the department of education guidelines. I see MANY students under 25 who have no contact with parents or support from them.

If you are not married, do not have children, your parents are still alive, you are not a ward of the court, are not a veteran, and have no dependents, you are DEPENDENT.

Many Financial Aid Advisors do not have the choice to make you independent on their own. They have to follow the Department of Ed rules.

I know it sucks, but it really isn't their fault...I deal with it every day.

Answer 5

Its been a long time, but when I was filling out the forms, I was married, so, therefore, they didn't need my parent's tax forms, but they still wanted them. This took me a whole semester to straighten out, and I had to visit the financial aid office once a week for that whole semester to keep them working on it. Basically, you need to talk to a person at a financial aid office, rather than try to fill out forms or enter in web forms.

Answer 6

Same thing happened to me, but the darn govermnet won't give you a break UNLESS you're married (then you have to submit your spouse's income as well), over 26, or legally emancipated (this only works if you're under 18 as of now). They assume your parents are footing the bill, and they don't make considerations for anyone who isn't so lucky.

Answer 7

I suggest that you go through and read the information and directions again.

If that doesn't solve your problem call the guidance councelor at the school you are trying to attend and ask them.

(Been a while since I filled one of these out)

Answer 8

You probably filled it out wrong. If you are independent, you don't need your parents income.

Answer 9

if you are independent then you shouldnt enter your parents info at all that is just for dependent students