How do i get around reporting my parents income when filling out the FAFSA?

Question

I live on my own and have little to no contact with my parents. I receive 0 financial support from either of them. The problem is that i was told i have to include at least one of my parents income information on my application for student aid. I know plenty of people my age that do not have to report their parents income, yet when filling out the dependent part of the form, it says i am still a dependent. I dont know how to get around this. Ive called the help line for FAFSA and they say i have to have parental income included. If i include their information will it ultimately affect how much i receive in aid?

Answer 1

A lot of people actually find themselves in your situation because for the purposes of financial aid, the government considers you a dependent until you're 24. Whether or not your parents claim you as a dependent on their taxes makes no difference (I'm just speculating, but maybe they think it's too easy for parents to slip their kids money under the table?)

Since their information will definitely affect how much aid you get, you might have to consider loans as a possibility, or defer college until after you turn 24. For more information on federal aid, try here:

http://www.tuitionbids.com/student-loan-...

For information on private student loans, there are great resources here:

http://www.tuitionbids.com/student-loan-...

Answer 2

If your over the age of 24, married or have a child then you dont need to report their income.  I was in the same boat as you when I was 21.  I had lived on my own since 18, worked and was not claimed on their taxes.  But yet they still wanted their info and becasue they made so much I got nothing.

Answer 3

Sorry, but unless you are a ward of the court, married or a veteran, you are considered a 'dependent' if you are under a certain age (I think it is 24) even if you don't get a penny from your parents.  Any attempt to 'get around' reporting would be considered fraud.  Best bet assuming your parents are divorced and not remarried is to report the parent with the lowest income.  If they are remarried the couple's (parent and step-parent's) income must be reported; if still married to each other both parents' incomes will count.  Try a community college for your first two years and work a part-time job.  Also file a hardship appeal with your school's financial aid office as soon as you get your FAFSA report.  Sorry again about your situation- I went through the same thing and it was a bummer.  But I got through and so can you.  Good luck!

Answer 4

if you do not live with them and they are not support you and they are not claiming you you do not have to report your parents Income= and no you are not a dependent

but ask your parents if they are reporting you as a dependent

Answer 5

gov figures if your mom or dad is loaded they can pitch in--the Gov thinks your mm & dad had you not the GOV so why should little people with parents that Really have no money  PAY Your collage etras when you can get Some help from the ones that put you here.

Answer 6

Get legally emancipated.  It's kind of like getting divorced from your parents.  I had to pay for my own college because I'm one of six kids, but my parents made way too much money for me to qualify for any FA.  I got legally emancipated (my parents couldn't claim me on their taxes and their medical benefits no longer covered me) and I qualified for all sorts of financial aid.

Answer 7

I know it sucks I have not lived with my paretns for 2 years and I have been completely independent for several years (on taxes)  The financial aid in this country sucks but you can get around it if your family makes little income.  The less they make the better.  Ask them to remove all money in savings and keep it in cash-they think savings money will go to college even though 99% of the time it goes to retirement.  Sorry I couldnt give you a better answer but this is just the way it is.

Answer 8

You cannot lie on a Federal FAFSA form. You and your family would face serious charges. Don't start your life out with deceit, the parameters for how much you get is based on your families income. Don't do something that can take away your future. You are asking a question, in public, on how to commit perjury. I really want you to understand what you are doing. I had no cake walk either for school. I had to pay for my college education by myself.I worked two jobs, and went to school. There is no crime in working hard. I hope you learn how to think and get a work ethic, without it you will not go far in this world.

Answer 9

Unless you can answer one of those dependency questions as "YES" then you have to report your parents income (both of their income if they are married to each other).  You will still qualify for financial aid when you report their income.  

Virtually anyone can get student loans and for some reason people think that by NOT reporting their income they will get the free money, but most of the time, if someone is indeed living and totally self supporting, they STILL make too much to get the free money.  Don't make this snag hinder you from college.

Good luck...