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Are you saying that one divorced parent claiming me as dependent means that both of their incomes are automatically combined when applying, or that both likely

by swozey 7y ago

Are you saying that one divorced parent claiming me as dependent means that both of their incomes are automatically combined when applying, or that both likely claimed me as a dependent? I haven't been aware of where my father is since I was a teenager, so it's entirely possible that he was in fact claiming me still. The fact that that disqualified me from any assistance is pretty sad. I'm very lucky to be where I am right now. I recall us explaining this to admissions but there being no budge at all.

briandear 7y ago
Your situation really sucked. However the reason that is that way is because the schools want to avoid financial aid fraud: a rich dad is “out of the picture” when in fact he isn’t — people use that strategy to get more financial aid. In your case, it was horrible. Getting classified as an independent student under the age of 24 is very difficult; it depends on the school’s financial aid administrator. Only .9% of students got an override. However, being married, a veteran, having legal dependents, or being an orphan are the only automatic ways to be considered independent for the FAFSA. If that were my situation, I would have joined the National Guard for two years: that makes you independent and gets you additional money from the GI Bill. However, that’s not for everyone. I’m sorry you had that situation. In your case, it was clearly unfair.
- swozey 7y ago
  I saw that there is the ability for an Admissions person to do an override in a link posted in this thread, I was curious how often it was done as it wasn't recommended to me at all. So that makes sense. I was very close to joining the USMC/Army to deal with all of this. USCG/USAF (admittedly didn't try USNG) and everyone else were "full" back then if I didn't have a Bachelors. I graduated right after 9/11..

by swozey 7y ago

briandear 7y ago

Your situation really sucked. However the reason that is that way is because the schools want to avoid financial aid fraud: a rich dad is “out of the picture” when in fact he isn’t — people use that strategy to get more financial aid. In your case, it was horrible. Getting classified as an independent student under the age of 24 is very difficult; it depends on the school’s financial aid administrator. Only .9% of students got an override. However, being married, a veteran, having legal dependents, or being an orphan are the only automatic ways to be considered independent for the FAFSA. If that were my situation, I would have joined the National Guard for two years: that makes you independent and gets you additional money from the GI Bill. However, that’s not for everyone. I’m sorry you had that situation. In your case, it was clearly unfair.

swozey 7y ago
I saw that there is the ability for an Admissions person to do an override in a link posted in this thread, I was curious how often it was done as it wasn't recommended to me at all. So that makes sense. I was very close to joining the USMC/Army to deal with all of this. USCG/USAF (admittedly didn't try USNG) and everyone else were "full" back then if I didn't have a Bachelors. I graduated right after 9/11..