Student dependency, College Financial Aid ?

some feedback here. I am a 22 year old college student who has lived on my own since 18. I work full time, have my own house. According to the federal Financial Aid system unless you are 24 years old +, pregnant, married or in the military, you are considered dependent on your parents tax information to qualify for loans.

What if I didn't talk to my parents, what if they didn't file for taxes, what if they don't want to sign off on any financial aid papers, what if? I have been in this situation for years now, having to apply for private supplemental loans with huge interest rates, having to go to classes online so I can work full time. Once I had a financial aid counselor tell me to fake a pregnancy...!

Can anyone explain why it would be beneficial to have a student be dependent until 24? Is anyone else you know in a situation like this?

to who knew... That is true, I have called the federal gov., my school ect. You have children so you are independent, i do not have children so I am dependent. This is the actual law, you can check it out, so I am not making it up, you literally are dependent unless you are 24, married, have kids, are pregnant or in the military. My school says unless I go to court to have myself legally separated from my parents I am stuck

There are steps you can take to file independently. I would first talk to your financial aid office and see what their internal regulations are. A friend of mine did this. He was estranged from his parents because of their nasty drug and alcohol problems. He submitted some papers signed by a judge and was deemed independent. Only then was he able to receive financial assistance on his own. If your financial aid office is unwilling to budge, call FAFSA at 800-433-3243. I've called several times in the past, and they have always been really helpful. Good luck!

I would talk to your bank about this 鈥?and your parents. Good luck!

That is incorrect. Not sure where you go that information. I have 2 kids but I am not pregnant, in the military, or married!

I am considered independent.

When you move out of your parents house and start paying for your own bills, and when you fill out your own tax return you are INDEPENDENT. It means you no longer DEPEND on your parents. A dependent is a student who lives at home, who does not work, who relies on their parents financially.

Age has nothing to do with it. I am 24, but I have been considered an independent since I was 19.

Go to the college and meet with a financial aid counselor. They will give you great information, or check fafsa.gov FAQ's. There's alot of useful info in there. Good luck!