Confusion can set in when a 21-year-old who lives on their own, and has for the past 2 years, decides to go to college and is asked to provide their parents financial information when they fill out the FASFA form.
Whether you think you need the money or not, it’s always encouraged to fill out this financial aid form to see if you happen to qualify for any aid. And with college being so expensive, it’s not uncommon to need help paying tuition and other educational costs, so why not apply for financial aid, right? It can’t hurt, but might cause some confusion and frustration, depending on your individual circumstances.
Understanding is key to preventing confusion. Why does the FAFSA want your parents’ financial information? What determines if you are a dependent or independent student and what are your options if you are unable to have your parents help you fill out the FAFSA?
You, Your Parent’s and the FAFSA
The FAFSA form as we know it today was introduced in 1992 but that’s not where the dependency issue started, for that we have to go back another 13 years to the creation of the Department of Education by Congress. When first written, the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979 stated that “Parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children.”
The assumption from this text is that if a child (even an adult child) wants to pursue a post-secondary education (i.e. college degree) the parents, if they are able, should contribute to the cost. This is not a mandate but is a postulation.
It’s interesting to note, that if we go back even further, the original text of Higher Education Act of 1965 does not reference parents. Prior to this, college attendance while not as prevalent as it is today, was largely considered the decision and responsibility (including all related costs) of the student and parental financial assistance (if able) was welcomed but not assumed or expected.
What Determines Dependency for the FAFSA
Many people assume dependency is associated with being financially dependent from your parents, but that’s not the case for FAFSA. 16% of young adults 18-24 today claim they are financially independent from their parents and yet unless they meet one of the criteria set below, FAFSA would still deem them as an dependent and require parent information to complete submission of their FAFSA.
To Be Declared an Independent Student on FAFSA
Independent students according to FAFSA have satisfied one or more of the following criteria:
- You are over 24 years old by January 1 of the academic year for which you are applying
- You are married
- You have legal dependents (not a spouse)
- You are active duty in the military or a veteran
- You are a graduate or professional student
- You are an orphan, current for former foster youth, ward of the court, an emancipated minor or in a legal guardianship
- You are homeless, unaccompanied or at risk of being homeless
If you don’t meet any of these criteria you are a dependent when you submit your FAFSA and will need your contributor(s) (parents or adoptive parents) participation on the form.
Generally, you need both parents to participate but there are instances when this is not the case. An example might be you don’t have contact with one parent, or you have contact but only one parent provides all your financial support. There can be any number of special circumstances. FAFSA will ask you questions to help determine if one or both parent’s need to participate. After a determination is made, you may be asked to follow up with the financial aid office at your school to provide supporting documentation.
College Today and Ways to Pay
College in 2025 is very different than college in say 1985. Most notably the cost of college has increased seven-fold. The cost of living has also increased significantly. $1,700 in 1985 would require over $5,000 in today’s dollars. So not only has tuition gone up but the buying power of the dollar has gone down. This inverse relationship has all but insisted that parents help pay for college or students would not be able to attend.
Options to Overcome the High Cost of College
Student’s need to be scrappy if they want to get a college degree and not find themselves in thousands of dollars of debt after graduation. This could include: living at home while going to school, attending a community college for general education credits (be sure they transfer before you take them), or working and going to school at the same time.
Scholarships are always a great option to help pay for college. There are countless scholarships to apply for and millions go unclaimed every year. If you want to win scholarship money plan to dedicate a lot of time for research and applying. Think of it like a job, something you prioritize to ensure you give it the proper time and attention needed to realize any results. Start applying the minute you think you might go to college and don’t stop until you get your degree.
Being deemed a dependent on the FAFSA form might be confusing if you are supporting yourself financially, but it’ll be ok. Answer the questions honestly on the form. Speak with the financial aid office at your school. If your parents are unwilling to participate, you can work through it, and if they are and they have the money, but are unwilling to help you pay, you can work through that too. The old adage where there’s a will there’s a way is true. If you truly want to obtain a college education, you can – just don’t give up.
