Are You a FAFSA Dependent?
Wednesday July 9, 2008
If you're under the age of 24, you will probably need to claim yourself as a dependent on your federal financial aid application. That means you'll have to provide information about your parents' income and the government will consider your parents' ability to help pay for your schooling when considering what type of aid to award.
This can become a major problem if your parent will not to give you the necessary financial information. One forum poster was unable to receive aid because the poster's mother simply refused to fill out the required form.
One solution could be filing for a "dependency override," but these are usually not be granted unless there is an extreme circumstance such as abuse or incarceration. Since the poster is not married, has no children, is not in the Armed Forces, and is not in graduate school, there are few options left.
This FAFSA policy can be a major problem for younger students. Online learners now have the ability to receive federal aid. But, those without parental support still don't qualify. Do you think federal dependency rules are fair? Comment below or in the forum.
See Also:
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Federal Student Loans for Online Learners
This can become a major problem if your parent will not to give you the necessary financial information. One forum poster was unable to receive aid because the poster's mother simply refused to fill out the required form.
One solution could be filing for a "dependency override," but these are usually not be granted unless there is an extreme circumstance such as abuse or incarceration. Since the poster is not married, has no children, is not in the Armed Forces, and is not in graduate school, there are few options left.
This FAFSA policy can be a major problem for younger students. Online learners now have the ability to receive federal aid. But, those without parental support still don't qualify. Do you think federal dependency rules are fair? Comment below or in the forum.
See Also:
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Federal Student Loans for Online Learners
Comments
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If we can help in anyway please do not hesitate to call or email us.
Best,
Senith
www.graduatetutor.com
No, it is not fair.
If we are considered adults at 18, we should be considerably independent.
I am 22, I live on the other side of the country from my family, I pay my own rent, provide for myself, do not receive any assistance from my father, and even despite my own technical independence, somehow my fathers income determines whether or not I am eligible for assistance. It’s completely unfair.