dependent vs independent Forum

[anjmissy]

So I'm 21 and will be attending law school the fall of 2012 (at this time I'll be 22), I will be filling out my fafsa as independent. But for the IRS, my mom still wants to carry me as a dependent even though she does not provide half of my income, i pay my rent, tuition, food, bills, and she only has me on her car insurance and health insurance, so she thinks thats enough to carry me as a dependent. I don't want the law schools to think that i'm actually getting half of my income from her, because i'm not. So my question is, will my independent status of the fafsa be in conflict with a dependent status on the IRS, (if i allow her to carry me as a dependent).

Thanks

[20130312]

You'll have to report your parents' income on the FAFSA regardless until you hit 30, so I don't think it will make a difference.

[AlexanderSupertramp]

You'll have to report your parents' income on the FAFSA regardless until you hit 30, so I don't think it will make a difference.

No you don't.

[IAFG]

You'll have to report your parents' income on the FAFSA regardless until you hit 30, so I don't think it will make a difference.

No you don't.

Law schools ask well past 22 no matter what FAFSA asks for.

Also, I don't know what providing half your income or not has to do with anything.

[20130312]

You'll have to report your parents' income on the FAFSA regardless until you hit 30, so I don't think it will make a difference.

No you don't.

Sorry, not on the FAFSA. But the schools ask for parents' income and will use it to baseline need based aid (if it's offered).

[AlexanderSupertramp]

You'll have to report your parents' income on the FAFSA regardless until you hit 30, so I don't think it will make a difference.

No you don't.

Sorry, not on the FAFSA. But the schools ask for parents' income and will use it to baseline need based aid (if it's offered).

Ahhh, very true. I was 30 with 3 kids when I started and I still had to report my parents' income. They weren't too happy but eventually gave it to me.

[IAFG]

I didn't really address your situation, so...You need to fill out the FAFSA honestly, which iirc asks if anyone has counted you as a dependent, but it doesn't matter to you. You'll get 0 financial benefit from not being her dependent as far as law school aid goes, since they'll consider your parents assets anyway. Your mom gets some benefit out of counting you as a dependent, so there's no reason to stop her from doing that.

[anjmissy]

ok this is what im getting from the replies...i will be independent for fafsa but can still allow my mom to carry me as a dependent on her state and federal taxes..correct?

[IAFG]

ok this is what im getting from the replies...i will be independent for fafsa but can still allow my mom to carry me as a dependent on her state and federal taxes..correct?

You're independent for FAFSA purposes if you're working on a JD no matter what your mom's tax situation is, but it doesn't matter for you either way. No benefit or harm, whatever your mom declares you as.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1011/help/fftoc03k.htm