Independent/dependent csumentor application question. PLEASE HELP!

entomom
Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:13:21 +0000

Just because you are 24 doesn’t mean you are independent. If your parents pay for more than 51% of your living expenses then you are considered dependent by the IRS.



But the OP is not talking about taxes, CSUMentor are based on FAFSA:

[CSUMentor - Plan for College - EOP - EOP Income Criteria](Cal State Apply | CSU)



Guidelines are based on the formulas used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for federal student financial aid.



And the FAFSA definition of independent/dependent is different than for taxes:

[Will I need my parents’ information?](http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1213/help/fftoc02k.htm)



If you can answer No to all of the following questions, you are considered a dependent student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

Were you born before January 1, 1989?

…

If you can answer Yes to any of the questions above, you are considered an independent student



If the OP turned 24 in 2012, they were born before Jan 1989.



But if you are independent, then just state your total income.



Please read the OP carefully, CSUMentor is asking for BOTH total income and number of household members.