fafsa- independent/dependent?

[cj7]

i know you're considered independent when you're going to professional school, so what do i put on my fafsa?

I'm claimed by my parents and I don't make any money...I was always a 'dependent"...but since this is for professional school, what do i put?

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[shootingstar7]

if you are taking loans and paying your way you should claim yourself, not have your parents claim you. that way you can get something in your return for tuition and expenses (books etc). this was my experience in undergrad. not sure if professional school is different but i thought id share.

 

[dchoi]

you can be considered independent, but i believe you still need to put down your parent's information for dental school loans...

 

[faye1891]

Independent for professional schools.

 

[teett]

you can be considered independent, but i believe you still need to put down your parent's information for dental school loans...

Just back from a financial acid section today, says " no need to put down parents' info" .

 

[cwoodds]

From FAFSA website:

Dependency Status Determination
A few words on dependency: dependency in financial aid is significantly different than dependency for tax purposes. Here are the criteria for whom the Department of Education classifies as an independent student. If you do not meet any of these criteria, then you are classified as a dependent student for the purpose of your financial aid application. Note: Your FAFSA status is not the same as your tax filing status.

•You were born before January 1, 1990
•You are or will be enrolled in a masters or Doctoral degree program at the beginning of the school year
•You are married on the day you file your FAFSA
•You are a parent
•You have dependents other than your spouse who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply
•Both your parents are deceased (or were until age 18) a ward of dependent of the court
•You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
•You're a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
•You were a foster child after the age of 13
•You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge
•You are homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison

 

[NDPitch]

Just back from a financial acid section today, says " no need to put down parents' info" .

I know you meant financial aid, but your typo is funny. Student loans can certainly feel like financial acid sometimes, lol

 

[dchoi]

Well I guess it depends on the school then. My school specifically says to put down parent's info.

 

[dchoi]

Actually maybe you don't have to? It says you need parental info to qualify for institutional loans and scholarships.

 

[shootingstar7]

Actually maybe you don't have to? It says you need parental info to qualify for institutional loans and scholarships.

I think what this means is that if you want to try to get the federal unsubsidized loans, (6.8% interest) you need to list your parents info. These loans are need based.

If you dont list their info, you can only qualify for Graduate Plus loans (@ 7.9% interest 😱). These loans are credit based.

 

[olive6]

i think you only need your parents info if there are any grants- pretty sure you can get the unsub without it. also, i am being claimed as dependent this year but my fafsa told me I was independent according to them because it was for professional school so I don't think it matters!

 

[UCSFx2017]

This is directly from the FAFSA website:

"You are considered an "independent" student. This means you are not required to answer questions about your parents. However, you may want to answer questions about your parents if: you are a health profession student (such as a medical or nursing student), or
your school requires parental information from all students."

Just get your parent's 1040 and W2 to fill out the income section. Match up the wording on the two forms to the FAFSA for the adjusted gross income and wages/tips/etc.

The 2012 year's 1040 and W2 haven't come out yet for most people so use the 2011 year's as a temporary estimate and then revise the FAFSA when 2012's forms come out.