fafsa question

[Reborn24]

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Are med. students considered dependent or independent. and did you guys complete the section on parent's income.

 

[Prospero]

It depends on the student and the school. The schools I sent my information to did not require my parents information on the FAFSA itself, but they ask for it seperately. Call your schools and ask them if you need to put it on there. A lot of med schools consider you a "permanent" dependant on your parents and, even if you're 47 with two kids and a wife/husband (hopefully not both), you still have to include your parents info for the schools own paperwork. So, call and find out, then you'll know for sure.

 

[BayRunner]

You are dependent if your parents still claim you on their taxes. Did you claim "0" on your taxes? You can only do that if you are being claimed by your parents or guardian. If you claimed a "1, 2, ...." then you are independent w/possible dependents.

If you are a dependent than you must fill out the Parents information section on the FAFSA. Otherwise, don't fill it out and wait and see if your school requires it from you. My school did not.

 

[liverotcod]

A lot of med schools consider you a "permanent" dependant on your parents and

I disagree. Any graduate student is considered to be independant regardless of their living situation. So, for Stafford loans, you are always independant. But some schools consider "total family resources" to figure their own internal aid distribution, and therefore ask for parental information. But this does not mean that they're considering the student a dependant.

 

[akpete]

Liverotcod is absolutely correct. You are a professional student, and therefore, independent, regardless of how you filed your taxes. However, even though to the government you are independent, SOME schools require parental info to be considered for INSTITUTIONAL aid.

By the way, how you filed your taxes never really plays a part on the FAFSA. I filed indepently for some time on my taxes, but since my dad refused to filed the FAFSA, I couldn't get financial aid in undergrad. To be considered independent for fin. aid you need to be emancipated/no parents living, have dependents of your own, born before a certain date (usually makes you ~24 y.o.), a graduate/professional student, a veteran (I think), and I think marriage might play a role, but I'm not sure about that one.

 

[OSUdoc08]

Are med. students considered dependent or independent. and did you guys complete the section on parent's income.

By federal law, you are considered an "independent student" if you have already earned an undergraduate degree and are completing ANY postgraduate education.

The parental information CANNOT be used for any federal aid, by law. The information is only used for institutional aid.

 

[angel80]

Everyone is right. As a med student, you are independent. I still submitted my parent's information in order to get institutional aid because our school required it.

 

[Rafa]

So does this mean that, if you want to receive any aid from your school (instead of having to rely solely on gov't loans), you have to ask your parents annually for tax information?

 

[liverotcod]

So does this mean that, if you want to receive any aid from your school (instead of having to rely solely on gov't loans), you have to ask your parents annually for tax information?

Depends on the school.

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Are med. students considered dependent or independent. and did you guys complete the section on parent's income.

I think we are required to put in Parents' income for UNC to qualify for scholarships etc.... Email Ms Sheila Graham and find out for sure. I think the deadline was March 1st to be considered for grants etc....but go and talk to Fin Aid office on 3rd floor McNider and they will tell you exactly what they need from you.