GETTING STARTED ABCs of Saving for College Tax Breaks for College Savers 529 Plan FAQs Uncover the Best Coverdells Student Loans 101 Master the Financial Aid Process MORE... COLLEGE TOOLS 100 best values in public colleges 100 best values in private colleges The best (and the rest) of the college savings plans How do I figure a monthly college savings plan? What will it take to save for a college education? What is the payoff for going back to school? Recent Columns An Enterprising 7-Year-Old - Feb. 3, 2005 Investing Resources for Teens - Jan. 27, 2005 Establish Money Rules up Front - Jan. 20, 2005 Save Now to Avoid Financial Aid Crunch - Jan. 13, 2005 Roth IRA Rules for Kids - Jan. 6, 2005 Parents Can't Tap Child's Custodial Account - Dec. 30, 2004 MORE ...

MONEY SMART KIDS
When Parents Won't Pay
by Janet Bodnar

I really need help! I have been completely independent of my parents for more than two years, except for health insurance. I get absolutely no money from the government for my tuition at school. Is this because my parents still claim me as a dependant even though I haven't lived at home for almost three years? Would claiming myself help me get more money for school?

Probably not. Once upon a time your situation might have qualified you as an independent student and entitled you to more financial aid, but the rules are much tougher now.

Generally speaking, to be independent you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be age 24 or older by December 31 of the academic year in which you are applying for aid (2004 for the 2004-05 academic year)


• Be a veteran of the U.S. armed forces


• Be married


• Be a graduate student


• Have a legal dependent, other than a spouse


• Be (or have been) a ward of the court

If you don't fall into any of those categories, I would suggest a couple of options. Even if your parents aren't supporting you, they should at least fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if they haven't done so. You might qualify for aid (see the letter below).

If you are anywhere near the magic age of 24, you might quit school temporarily, get a job, save your money, and return to school after you turn 24 to finish your education.

P.S. Unless your parents are paying for more than half of your support, they should not be claiming you as a dependent for tax purposes. Claiming yourself won't help you get financial aid for school, but it could help at tax time.

Financial aid eligibility

Although you are correct that parents do not have a legal obligation to pay for their children's college education, the federal government and the schools consider it primarily the parents' responsibility to pay for college. They will not step in if parents refuse to help.

In particular, students will not be eligible for any federal grants or loans if the parents refuse to complete the FAFSA. Most children are unable to pay for college on their own without any help from their parents.

This is such a common topic that FinAid has a section devoted to it.