Why does FAFSA consider me an independent student?

If you have children who receive more than half of their support for you, or a dependent (not including a spouse) who lives with you and receives more than half of their support from you, you are considered independent.

How do I fix my FAFSA dependency status?

How Do I Request a Change? If you have a special circumstance that you feel warrants a change in your FAFSA® Dependency Status, write a letter to the financial aid administrator at your school. You can call your school’s financial aid office to get in touch with an administrator.

Why am I considered a Dependant student?

In general, you are a dependent student if you’re dependent on your parent or guardian for financial support (housing, groceries, etc.). In that case, you’re required to report their income on the FAFSA. The Department of Education has specific criteria to determine dependency for the purpose of student aid.

Is it better to be dependent or independent for FAFSA?

Your dependency status is one of the most important. When completing the FAFSA, independent student applicants generally receive much more financial aid than those who are considered dependents.

What is the homeless question on FAFSA?

This question asks whether any of the entities listed have made a determination at any time on or after July 1, 2019, that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless. Homeless means lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing.

Is it better to claim your college student as dependent?

Benefits of Claiming a College Student as a Dependent The ability to claim a dependent generally makes taxpayers eligible for more personal allowances, which may include education-related tax credits, such as the American opportunity tax credit and the lifetime learning credit.

Is it better for a college student to claim themselves 2021?

The student does not get to claim themselves on their tax return, but the value of the education credit may make it preferable for the parent to forfeit their claim of the child as a dependent.