achieving dependency status for college?

[owlface]

Have any of you achieved an independent status while for applying for aid for college? I am considering moving out to be closer to school and my folks currently give me no money towards school. If I am fully independent, there are a lot more grants and federal loans I would be eligible for. Have any of you done this before?

 

[Leros]

Are your parents going to be giving you money for living? Then you'd be a dependent.

 

[owlface]

They won't be, but unfortunately the fafsa still considers you a dependent, I wanted to know if anyone has been able to get around this.

 

[lrn2f1y]

Turn 24

 

[FoBoT]

you basically need to quit school and work and live on your own without your parents for a couple years
you could just go into the military for four years and when you get out, you'd have GI benefits and be completely independent

 

[novasatori]

yes
I got married

 

[invidia]

An independent is if you are 24 or if you can provide at least over 50% of your living expenses. Otherwise you're a leech.

 

[owlface]

Originally posted by: invidia
or if you can provide at least over 50% of your living expenses. Otherwise you're a leech.

Where did you learn this?

 

[Jeff7]

Text

I probably should have waited another year to return to college, as I would have counted as independent then, only on the basis of age. I sucked up almost all of my savings in that first year, because I was paying my expenses, but the government still counted my parents' income along with mine.

I already stand to graduate when I'm 27. Old man on campus.

 

[Eeezee]

Yeah, there's a ton of need-based scholarship money out there (and subsidized loans). However, I believe the FASFA (sp) doesn't care whether you're independent or dependent; you'll still have an "expected family contirbution" until you either turn 24 or graduate with a Bachelor's. If you go on to grad school, you can be truly "independent."

 

[owlface]

My issue is that my folks make quite a lot of money, but won't pay anything towards my education. So I am screwed because I don't qualify for any need-based scholarships. I have some merit based scholarships, but they only pay a small portion.