Is there any way to sidestep FAFSA's ridiculous dependent requirements and claim independence?

Question

I'm a 22 year old single, childless, civilian who is trying to return to school full-time with no financial assistance from my parents. Even though I've filed independently on taxes for the past two years, I'm still labeled as a dependent when filing my FAFSA. The school said there's nothing I can do and so has FAFSA. I'm trying everything in my power to continue my education despite setbacks but this is a major setback. Can anybody offer some wise words??

Answer 1

Don't consider (or make it ) a setback.  Just a hoop to jump through.  Just put your parents info down and go to school.... viola.  Done!  You are now a college student...

Make it a setback, and you aren't a college student.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, no, there is nothing you can do. What you can do is keep costs low OR keep costs into perspective with your future.

What do you plan to do with your life? If you are going to be a doctor, a lawyer, or another well-paid profession then student debt isn't so much to fear because you'll get a good enough salary to pay it off.  However, if you're going to be a teacher than racking up tons of debt is definitely NOT a good thing to do. But there are ways of drastically reducing your cost if you make a commitment to a certain group, pledge a couple years of your after-graduation life to teaching in a bad part of the country, and they can help pay your school debt.

Fancy, expensive colleges look great but they give you the same degree as the cheaper, smaller ones do. You don't need to pay 40k a year when you can do 4k. And, no, I'm not just talking community college. Shop around for your education, don't set your sights on one place and think to yourself, "Well, I can't afford it. Oh well. No school for me."

Answer 3

Getting married or having a child is pretty much it.