State=SC
I have a question regarding the skewed perspective of FAFSA dependency status. I am 21 and an undergraduate student, and although I have filed as independent with the IRS and have completely supported myself for the last four years I have been forced to file as a dependent on my FAFSA since I am not married, etc. However, I am now supporting my fiancee as well as myself while we complete undergraduate school. (Although her parents claimed her as a dependent on last year's taxes.)
Now we come to the crux of the matter: I recently completely severed my relationship with my father. How can I go about filling out my FAFSA next year without having to have him "sign" it? Should I claim my fiancee as a dependent (on FAFSA, taxes, or both), and thereby gain independent status? (The issue there is, I'll have to fight her mother on the issue, since I'm sure her mother doesn't want to relinquish the tax deduction.) Should we go ahead and get married ahead of schedule? Is there another way to go about this?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Coats
I have a question regarding the skewed perspective of FAFSA dependency status. I am 21 and an undergraduate student, and although I have filed as independent with the IRS and have completely supported myself for the last four years I have been forced to file as a dependent on my FAFSA since I am not married, etc. However, I am now supporting my fiancee as well as myself while we complete undergraduate school. (Although her parents claimed her as a dependent on last year's taxes.)
Now we come to the crux of the matter: I recently completely severed my relationship with my father. How can I go about filling out my FAFSA next year without having to have him "sign" it? Should I claim my fiancee as a dependent (on FAFSA, taxes, or both), and thereby gain independent status? (The issue there is, I'll have to fight her mother on the issue, since I'm sure her mother doesn't want to relinquish the tax deduction.) Should we go ahead and get married ahead of schedule? Is there another way to go about this?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Coats
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