I am a current, public university student in the state of Florida. My parents do not support me. I have worked almost full time since the day I turned 16. Getting to the point, I am on the verge of having to drop out of school because I do not qualify for enough financial aid to fund my schooling. I file my own taxes and am self supportive. But, according to the Government, I am still "dependent" of my parents. The only way to claim independence is to be 1) 24 yrs old, 2) Homeless/ or in the past 3) in the military. According to these stipulations, I am still dependent of my family, which qualifies me for NO aid.
Lets change this to where self supporting college students can obtain neccesary/qualified for aid. Just because my parents CAN'T pay, shouldn't mean I can't go to school.