were you born before January 1, 1984

are you a graduate or professional student

do you have children you support

do you have legal dependents

are you an orphan or ward of the court

are you active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces

are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

If you cannot answer yes, then you will be classified as Dependent, and thus have to provide your parents’s financial information. You may try to appeal the classification with the financial aid office at your school, but it will probably be denied unless you have extenuating circumstances – such as an incarcerated or institutionalized parent for example. It doesn’t hurt to ask about appealing your status, but just be prepared for it to be denied if your only argument is that you are self-supporting.

Hope that helps even if it’s not what you wanted to hear. Good luck!

Were you born before Januaray 1st 1984 or are you 24 years of age?

Are you working on a masters program?

Are you married?

Do you have children or dependents that receive more than half your income?

Are your parents deceased or are you a ward of the state?

Have you served in the U.S. Armed forces?

If you can answer yes to any of these, then you do not need to include your parent’s tax information. There is no way to get around using their info. I would talk to your parents and tell them that you need their tax info in order to get financial aid.

I also recommend getting in immediate contact with your financial aid office.Explain to them your situation and bring prove that your are independent, such as rent bills or utilites. They will be able to change your status to independent if they have enough information to back it up. This would be your best shot.

To be independent for FA purposes, you must be one of the following: at least 24 years of age; have children or other dependents for whom you provide at least 51% of support; be married; working toward a graduate degree (such as MA or PhD); in the military currently; be a military veteran; be a ward of the court (now or previously) or have both parents deceased.

If you do not meet at least one of those criteria, then you must provide parental information on your FAFSA. if you are completing a different FA application, then there may be other criteria.

Then just claim yourself as an Independant, most financial aid advisors will tell you that you have to be 25, yada, yada, yada (and other criteria) but just do it on the FASFA then again during taxes and you should be good to go.