Fafsa independent help...

Question

Im 20 and planning to go to school this year. I want to apply for Fafsa but how do i claim independent? I live with my step-mom and they never help me with any financial, plus they have high income too. I had to make my own living... On the Fafsa form there are question about my parents incomes i can't provide because my step mom doesn't want to share it with me. Is there anyway i can claim independent and not put my parents income in?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a "loop hole" here.  The rules are very specific as to which set of parent(s) have to be listed on the fafsa.  (read the instructions on the form).

In your case, you will have to list your father and step moms information on the fafsa.  Period.  

It doesn't matter if they claim you on their taxes or even if they give you a dime.  

Also, being "independent" or "dependent" has nothing to do with actually supporting yourself or not.  It's misleading and just a classification.  Many folks who are over the age or 24 are not financially independent and still are classified as independent on the fafsa.

No no way around not putting your parents info.

Answer 2

The only way you can file independent is if your parents (or anyone else) does NOT claim you on their taxes as a dependent.  So if your step mom is still claiming you, ask her not to.  Basically, she's getting more taxes back because of you, and she's not helping you pay for anything.

Answer 3

To the best of my knowledge you can't.  I lived by myself all through college (in an apartment, not on campus), and what the govt said was that until I was 23, my parents information would be used regardless of whether or not I lived with them or if they were helping me with college.  But I would give them a call, it's a pain I know, but that way you'll at least get a definitive answer.  Good luck.

Answer 4

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news dear, but because you were not born BEFORE the year of 1987, you CANNOT - by the department of education / FAFSA guidelines, claim yourself as an independent student :-(. Trust me, I know, my daughter is very independent like yourself, and 20 also, NOT born before 1987, and she must include one of her parents incomes on her FAFSA, that's just the rule, and I know, it sucks, but you DO have another option :-).

Regardless of who claimed you on their taxes, or even if you claimed yourself (as my daughter did) as long as you include ONE parent's information on your FAFSA application, you are good to go.  And NO, it does not make a difference if that person claimed you on their taxes, or if the other person does, or if you did for yourself, your FAFSA, and tax returns with the IRS are NOT related :-).  (Kind of a loophole :-))

Therefore, if your stepmom / dad have a high income and refuse to provide the information that the government requires, what about your natural mom's tax information?   Even if she does not provide for you, and did not claim you as a deduction on her taxes, her information will work for FAFSA purposes.

Ex:  My income this past year was WAY beyond my ex-husbands, so my daughter used her dad's income for her FAFSA.  The year before, his income was more than mine, so she used my information for her FAFSA.  

By using the parent's tax information who earned less, you will get more help from the government.

If you have any questions, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/  and then for specific questions about the FAFSA, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

Just explain that your step-mom and dad don't want to provide you their info, and that you've been 'independent' - - they'll tell you exactly what I did - it doesn't matter - as long as you provide one natural parent's information - but if they're remarried, it is REQUIRED to include their new spouse information.

Answer 5

As long as you are paying your own bills/taxes - you can claim independent.  If you think that there may "extenuating" details tied to your situation, call your school's Financial Aid Dept - they handle questions like this EVERY DAY!!  ;)