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” w

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.