Covering the business of education and training

I would certainly have to agree there needs to be a change. Last year, I was a dependent student living in the dorms. My mom made $20K to $25K, at the peak there was 3 kids being supported (but we all worked and chipped in), but there at the end it was just me and her. I made just shy of $12K last year, but am now considered independent due to my age. My Pell grant has dropped from full amount to around $900 a semester. My EFC jumped from $0 to $2000. Ironically, I don't make enough currently to live on my own, I have to live in the dorms and at home. So yeah, I can certainly see where something would need to change, especially since scholarships are getting harder and harder to nab due to increased competition.

I also think that there needs to be more flexibility in the independent / dependent question. For example, my fiancee is struggling to gain independent status -- she's under 24, but she's supported herself since she was 17 -- two years later, she's fighting the school to switch her status. Her parents don't support her, yet the school uses her parents middle-class income to calculate her contribution. The school wants her to actually prove that the support isn't there, and when she does, they're continously looking for loopholes.

So many scholarships look to the FAFSA as well, so it's become even more important to get an accurate picture of a student's financial situation.

I have a strong feeling the FAFSA's going to have to change -- it's a bit outdated.

i think thats kinda crazy because why do they want to cheat out famillys that have low income there are the one that need the money the most. if they give low income people(students) they will make more money.

How did that happen?? it really isnt fair for low income students who really need the money,it makes them take out more student loans, thats not good.

The FAFSA is extremely confusing. When I was in college, I was lucky enough to have fairly educated parents who could help me fill the sucker out. However, during my time in school I met several people who probably qualified for lots of aid but never got it because there was some hold-up in the multi-step process that kept them from getting everything done. It's really frustrating to hear that the least needy people are getting the most money.

Yeah the Independent/ dependent question stinks! I do not want to get married or have kids right know, nor do I want to join the military- because we are in a war! I cannot help my age- because lets face it I didn't pick when I would be born. Nor are my parents being helpful- they will not give me their tax information so I can fill the FAFSA out. How can someone like me go to school and not take out $30,000 in loans? Help Please!