The Student federal Aid system is unjust in many ways as it is extremely difficult to receive the proper aid for certain circumstances. More than half of college students live in off-campus housing not with their parents, they are paying for rent, bills, groceries, tuition, and other necessities without the assistance of their parents. However, despite being financially independent they are unable to meet the requirements to be considered independent on their FAFSA.

According to the FAFSA website and their checklist for dependency or independency, in order to be considered independent you must qualify for one of the following: 24 years or older (by January 1st), in foster care, married or separated, supporting children of your own or other dependents, are a veteran or on active duty, homeless or at risk of being homeless, emancipated, or working towards master’s degree.

So, despite if you are someone who is living in their own house or apartment, paying your own bills, and paying to put yourself through college you do not have the qualifications to be considered an independent, even if you have no financial connection to your parents. For a student to be supporting themselves as intensely, if they aren’t receiving the correct financial aid then that can lead to many issues financially, mentally, and academically. As it will lead to a very demanding schedule trying to balance working enough hours to reach ends meet, studying and balancing classes to make sure you aren’t failing, and trying to keep yourself mentally stable. In what world should a student trying to support themselves independently should have to worry about coming close to homelessness, but only then would they be qualified for financial aid.