Michelle answers:

Even if you move out you will still be considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes. To be considered independent for financial aid you need to be 24, married, have children, join the army or earn a bachelor’s degree. Simply moving out is not grounds to be classified as independent. So, you will be offered the same amount next year.
You need to prevent your money from being used for your parents’ tuition expenses. They can take out their own loans. If you can afford to move out. If you can’t afford to move out then get a job and save your money. In the mean time there are things you can do. While you can’t fill out the FAFSA on your own, you can restrict your parents’ access to your university account. You should be able to accept a lower amount of student loan money so that there is no extra for them. If you still want the full amount then there are options. Open up your own bank account that your parents do not have access to. If your school has the option of directly depositing a refund into your account then do that. If you must get a check, make sure to get to it before your parents (you might be able to pick it up directly at the school instead of waiting for the mail. You can also open up a post office box so that your parents do not have access to your personal mail.

Michelle answers:

Dear Boston,

I’m sorry about ur family situation. But divorce is a big issue on Fafsa… Don’t hide that fact. Depending on who your Twins choose to live with will have some bearing on Fin Aid. Also your ex needs his own pin number. U don’t want him saying u falsified info or vice versa. If he knew your pin, change the password.

U know ur kids r going to need extra reassurance from Both of U about life, school and living arrangements. If there is any way that u and your ex can be friendly and raising the kids together… Not in same household but communicating so they don’t play one off the other. Many kids will because of the situation. It’s just human nature.

Fafsa is the Federal Govt… Don’t leave things out. They don’t play when it comes to catching irregularities. They do prosecute. Honestly, divorcing will probably help your Twins because now they fact in two households etc…

Michelle answers:

I read in a news article a while ago about your question and found this answer on the web:
http://community.simpletuition.com/simpletuition/topics/did_you_say_to_use_last_years_income_tax_numbers_to_fill_out_the_fafsa_now
Quote:
Just use your old taxes as a guide to make reasonable estimates about the current year.. Then later you can make corrections when your actual taxes are done.

That is, for the estimated income information, use the figures from your mother’s 2009 Federal Income tax filing and then file a corrected FAFSA after she has completed her 2010 Federal filing.

Here’s the link to the FAFSA top Frequently Asked Questions and answers:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/faqs.jsp
Your question is #10 on the list.

Here’s a link to the FAFSA document (PDF – Adobe Reader) on correcting/revising a FAFSA application filed earlier:
http://ifap.ed.gov/sfahandbooks/attachments/0809AVGCh5.pdf
The section most relevant to your needs starts on page AVG-97 of the document (actually the 3rd page of the document with the above link.)

Best wishes

Michelle answers:

You will be able to file the FAFSA at community college and at a 4-yr. You’ll receive funding based on your EFC, and yes, if you earn an AA or AS at the community level, you will be considered a junior.