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I was on the FAFSA website, and am trying to determine whether I'm considered an independent or dependent student. When it asks if you will be pursuing a higher degree at the beginning of the 2010-11 academic year, the answer is yes if you will be starting law school in August/September, correct? I only ask because on the site the beginning of the academic year is July.

I just assumed that I would be considered dependent because I'm 22, so I'm a bit confused. I'd appreciate it if someone would enlighten me

maggiebre wrote:I was on the FAFSA website, and am trying to determine whether I'm considered an independent or dependent student. When it asks if you will be pursuing a higher degree at the beginning of the 2010-11 academic year, the answer is yes if you will be starting law school in August/September, correct? I only ask because on the site the beginning of the academic year is July.

I just assumed that I would be considered dependent because I'm 22, so I'm a bit confused. I'd appreciate it if someone would enlighten me

Yes, they list JD as an example.

Oh and thanks for posting this, good reminder to start filling out fafsa stuff.

Thanks - so I guess that means that all people applying for next year are independent. Good to know.

That's what I understand to be true.

maggiebre wrote:Thanks - so I guess that means that all people applying for next year are independent. Good to know.

Being an independent vs. a dependent has nothing to do with your age...

That's not true - once you turn 24 you're independent, regardless of all other factors.

See the question "Were you born before January 1, 1987 (question 46)?"

Yeah it has to do with your age. Check out the fafsa website, they have a for to fill out to determine whether you are independent or not.

sorry, to clarify: you CAN be independent at a younger age is what i meant. I guess I read the post as "Im not 24, how can I be anything but a dependent"

hank44 wrote:sorry, to clarify: you CAN be independent at a younger age is what i meant. I guess I read the post as "Im not 24, how can I be anything but a dependent"

Correct, marriage is one way.

Thanks for the responses. I'm not looking forward to filling this thing out...

maggiebre wrote:Thanks for the responses. I'm not looking forward to filling this thing out...

At least if you are a woman you don't have to sign up for the draft.

I have a dumb question too!

So, when you add schools to the list and the list doesn't mention the law school specifically I assume one should just put the institution as a whole. For example, I don't see UCLA law on the list but I do see UCLA.

savesthedayajb wrote:I have a dumb question too!

So, when you add schools to the list and the list doesn't mention the law school specifically I assume one should just put the institution as a whole. For example, I don't see UCLA law on the list but I do see UCLA.

I assume that to be correct.

Inygma wrote:

hank44 wrote:sorry, to clarify: you CAN be independent at a younger age is what i meant. I guess I read the post as "Im not 24, how can I be anything but a dependent"

Correct, marriage is one way.

I will be married before I am 24.

savesthedayajb wrote:I have a dumb question too!

So, when you add schools to the list and the list doesn't mention the law school specifically I assume one should just put the institution as a whole. For example, I don't see UCLA law on the list but I do see UCLA.

Correct. Some law schools have their own FA department and some do FA through the main university.