Trying to figure out if I should be independent or dependent. From what I have seen it seems I need to apply as dependent, but honestly I am still not exactly sure.
So basically I go to school full time, live on campus, and pay for everything school related. I also have a child and that is where things get a little gray. I provide all of his support(clothes, food, etc.) except he obviously doesn’t live with me in my dorm room. He lives with my girlfriend at her parent’s house. So from what I have read cash-support her parents provide is considered support I provide for my child, but in kind support they may be giving does not(???). Adding on to that from what I have read since my name isn’t on their bills this would be considered in-kind support for the child thus I wouldn’t be able to count rent etc. as my support.
Does anyone have knowledge into this type of situation to shed some light on it? Is my thinking correct?
You sound like a really good dad who is determined to do right by your child and be a presence in his life.
Unfortunately, you are dependent because your girlfriend is the custodial parent. Your child would have to live with you 51% of the time and you would have to provide 51% of his support.
Also you need to look at your school’s policy. If you attend a private school that gives lots of institutional aid, many of them have policies in place that if you start as a dependent student, you finish as a dependent student even if you have a life event that makes you independent (getting married/having a child).
On face it looks as if you GF’s parents are taking care of their child as well as their grandchild (your GF would have to demonstrate that **she ** provides 51% support for her son to be able to be independent on her own FA forms.
Actually, the rule about living with the person at least 51% doesn’t come into play in this case. However, being able to prove that you provide at least 51% of your child’s support is key. There are no cut-and-dried rules on how to determine this, and every school is left to interpret it & make policies for themselves.
I used to work at a school that had a number of dads and moms who tried to claim they were independent because they had a child. While most really did not support the child at least 51%, some did. We asked for receipts, copies of checks, etc. - basically, the parent had to provide hard proof of the support. Because every school is different, my advice is to talk with the school about your situation. They will guide you.
Adding … it is not always in your best interest to be independent. If you have a low EFC as a dependent, you may actually have a higher EFC as independent. You may want to look at an EFC calculator before you pursue the independent question.
Agree, OP needs to check with his school’s policy. Some school’s policies on changing from dependent student to independent student are stricter than others - they might allow it if a parent dies, or if you take a semester off for medical reason etc., but not if you get married or have a child. These policies can be very complex, and the schools that give the most institutional aid tend to be the most complex.