FAFSA and Independent Status?
Hello,
I am 18 years old wanting to fill FAFSA for my second year of college, but this time under independent and not dependent on my parents. I have a job and my parents dont claim me dependent in their taxes. On FAFSA's website, One of the requirements to be independent is for someone else to be dependent on me. I have a grandmother I can use to say that she is dependent on me. Do i need to provide proof that she is dependent on me, if so what kind of proof? Also, do I have to claim her dependent under my tax forms?
Update:Cheri - You answered eveyrthing except for what kind of proof would i need that she lives and I support her? ?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
When you say you have a grandma that you can "use" to say that she is dependent on you doesn't cut it. She either is or is not. If she truely is then you would be considered independent. If she is not then you are considered dependent.
You would have to prove that you are providing more than 50% of her care. Do you have your own place and you are letting her live with you so you can take care of her and pay all the bills?
What is put on the tax forms has nothing to do with filling out the fafsa what so ever. You would not have to claim her on your tax forms. For example their are many parents who are split up. Say the dad claimed a child on their tax return. The child could still put down mom, because she may have provided more care for the child even tho she didnt claim anyone on the tax return.
Hope this helped.
Yes, you would have to provide proof your grandmother is entirely financially dependent upon you. Does she have her own income? If so, you will be hard pressed to get that one to go through. Its been tried before, and it never goes through.
you are your own dependant. when you do your taxes at the end of the year, you'll claim 1 for yourself. you don't need anyone else being dependant upon you to be considered independant for financial aid, just as long as no one else is claiming you on their taxes.
you need to have claimed your grandma on your taxes as a dependant.