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My fafsa says I’m an independent student and can choose whether or not I’d like to report parental income. Should I? I would be reporting the income of one parent who makes between 60-80 a year

Don't report it. Doesn't help you, and may hurt you if the school does need based aid.

Just read each schools requirements carefully if you’re also planning on applying for need based aid. Some of them require parental information even though the FASFA classifies you as independent until you’re 26 or married (if you’re either of those disregard this though obviously)

TLS wrote:Just read each schools requirements carefully if you’re also planning on applying for need based aid. Some of them require parental information even though the FASFA classifies you as independent until you’re 26 or married (if you’re either of those disregard this though obviously)

But those schools don't require you to add the parental info to FAFSA. You need to include it on those schools' need-based aid applications.

cavalier1138 wrote:

TLS wrote:Just read each schools requirements carefully if you’re also planning on applying for need based aid. Some of them require parental information even though the FASFA classifies you as independent until you’re 26 or married (if you’re either of those disregard this though obviously)

But those schools don't require you to add the parental info to FAFSA. You need to include it on those schools' need-based aid applications.

No some of the require it on the FASFA as well. For example see UVAs instructions. https://content.law.virginia.edu/financ ... ancial-aid

UChicago told me last year that I needed parental information on FASFA to be considered for need-based aid unless I was over 26. They said I would still be considered for merit aid without it.

TLS wrote:

cavalier1138 wrote:

TLS wrote:Just read each schools requirements carefully if you’re also planning on applying for need based aid. Some of them require parental information even though the FASFA classifies you as independent until you’re 26 or married (if you’re either of those disregard this though obviously)

But those schools don't require you to add the parental info to FAFSA. You need to include it on those schools' need-based aid applications.

No some of the require it on the FASFA as well. For example see UVAs instructions. https://content.law.virginia.edu/financ ... ancial-aid

Huh. I wonder if that's changed because everyone stopped using the NeedAccess system. I could swear that they specifically drew a line between FAFSA and need-based aid when I applied.