Would my parent’s information hurt me as an independent student? [Version 2.0]

[kelsmom]

Yes, that’s correct.

@DigitalDad

So the blanket statement that schools IGNORE parent information does not actually apply generally - schools may CHOOSE to ignore parent information (which also implies they could choose to consider it, even if it was not required?)

Parent information is ignored for federal aid purposes for an independent student. Always. FAFSA is intended to determine eligibility for federal aid. Schools can decide what information to use for institutional aid. For undergraduate programs, parent information would only rarely be requested; I assume it would be collected on the Profile if a school wanted it for an independent student. And the fact that some grad/professional programs want the parent information is, again, for purposes of determining institutional aid. If a school … undergraduate or graduate program … does not require parent information for financial aid, they WILL NOT look at it if it’s included.