Filing Dependent vs. Independent on FAFSA?

I am 20 and will attend medical school (MD) at the beginning of the 2008 school year. My family can't/won't help pay, nor will they allow me to use their financial information on the FAFSA. I had great difficulty getting financial aid this past year for undergrad...is filing Independent the way to go? I will speak to a financial advisor but any tips and/or success stories of money-less students will make me feel better!

You have no choice in the dependent/independent fafsa status. So you can't just list yourself as independent. You must meet specific criteria. If you have a bachelors degree, you are considered independent. As does being married, having kids that you support, being 24 or older, being a veteran or a ward of the court, having dependents other than a child or spouse.
If you dont meet one or more you are considered "dependent" and must provide your parents income. There refusal to provide their tax information it won't help you be considered independent.

If you are dependent, your best bet is to talk to your parents and let them know that by providing you their tax information, they are not obligated to pay for your education, in fact, by providing it they are allowing you to pay for your education yourself with the help of financial aid. Here is a good publication about federal fin aid including the max loan amounts and interest rates.

State independent since you're not getting money from your parents. However, I feel so sorry for you. Your parents are cruel!

If you have already earned an undergraduate degree, then you will be considered an independent student while attending medical school. You will only be eligible for loans at the graduate student level, which is $20,500 per year. You may should also look into the Grad Plus loans as they have similar forebearance and forgiveness provisions as your other federal student loans and they may not require a cosigner.