Once you’ve finished this section, you’ll see your dependency status. If you’re declared an independent student, you can complete the rest of the FAFSA by yourself. If you’re a dependent student, you’ll need your parents’ financial information in addition to your own. ...
Keep in mind that your parent(s) will need their own email address to create a StudentAid.gov account. After your and your contributors' StudentAid.gov accounts are created, you can begin filling out your FAFSA.How do I know if I am dependent/independent for FAFSA purposes?
You’ll find out if you’re considered dependent or independentwhen you fill out your FAFSA®. Factors include age, marital status, and whether you’re on active duty in the U.S. armed forces. For a parent or legal guardian to sign your FAFSA®form, access information about your finan...
Can I take a break and finish later? (Yes, you can save the form for up to 45 days. However, it’s still best to file the FAFSA as soon as possible, as we explained before.) Ensuring accuracy One last thing before we go step by step through each section: Make su...
graduate. Loan amounts that can be subsidized range from $3,500 to $5,500 per year, depending on your year in school and whether you are considered a dependent or independent student as defined by the office of Federal Student Aid. These subsidized loans are not available for graduate ...
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The CSS Profile also requires more financial detail in many cases, according to the independent website Finaid.7For example, it takes family homeownership into account, while the FAFSA doesn’t. In addition, the CSS Profile may ask questions specific to each institution or program to which the...
The timing of a financial aid award letter can depend on a number of factors, including the school a student selects and when he or she submits the FAFSA. Experts say students should submit the FAFSA as early as possible and note priority deadlines set by individual institutions to en...
You’ll need to report income from the tax year specified on the FAFSA, and you can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to auto-fill this info from your tax return. You’ll also be asked about your savings and checking account balances, investments, and any benefits such as ...