@“aunt bea” Your Financial aid is recalculated every year. Once you turn 26 you are considered independent by USC. This qualifies you for university grants. If you, the student, have very low income/assets, this qualifies you for large university grants. Possibly even a full ride. Parent financial information is not looked at at this point. When students younger than 26 with poor families attend USC they can qualify for large university grants. When students older than 26 with low income attend USC they can qualify for large university grants