When the FAFSA refers to a persons dependcy status do they mean whether you were claimed as a dependant on the tax return or do they mean you are a dependant based on the FAFSA definition of depend ie. under 24, not in professional school, etc...
If you were claimed as a dependant on someone else's taxes. I'm a teenager, live with my parents, and get my support from them. They pay all the bills and therefore claimed me as a dependant on their taxes 🙂
in most cases...as a professional student...we are automatically considered as independents (cause we meet the age).
if your parents do include you as a dependent i dont think it really matters. you can still fill it out as an independent. and then include your parental information to be considered for aid from your specific school.
the govt. doesnt even pay attn to the parental information part anyway since they consider us as independents.