<p>Hi I have been filling out the FASFA form for 3 yrs now. My son is a Junior. However, my situation has changed. In May of 2010 I am legally separated. My son also has been out in his own apartments, he moved off campus in May 2011. He has taken summer classes in the summer of 2011 and has been on his own for over 6 months. Can I modify his FASFA and take my income off his form. It seems he should be able to get some kind of aid instead of just getting the loans? I seems he is getting penalized due to my salary ? How can we change this ? does my seperation status change anything ?</p>
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No. If your son is under 24 and does not meet one of the other criteria to be considered and independent student (married, has a dependent of his own he pays >50% support for, a veteran, a grad student etc), then he must report parent income/assets. If the parents are legally separated, he reports the income and assets of the parent he lives with the most. If he does not live with one more than the other then he reports the parent who provides the most support. If neither provides more support, then it is the parent with the higher income. </p>
<p>It makes no difference whether he is self supporting, lives off campus, files his own tax return etc etc. If he does not meet one of the criteria to be considered independent, parent info is required.</p>
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It is the same for all students except those either old enough to be considered independent or who meet one of the other criteria. My son dropped out of school and went back at 22 after living completely independently and being completely self sufficient for 3 years. He was still a dependent for FAFSA and had to report our income. </p>
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You can’t.</p>