I don't meet any of the requirements for being independent as far as Finacial Aid goes. I'll be 22 in October, not 24. I'm not married, I don't have children, and I'm not an orphan, nor am I an army veteran. I just became a junior over the summer, but my FAFSA was completed when I still was a sophomore, so I was only eligable for loans up to $3500 I believe. I did get a grant, because even though my parents' income is considered, they're very poor, and I always get the grants, but they aren't enough to completely cover tuiton, not to mention textbooks, school supplies, gas to get to school, etc. I've considered work/study, but if I did that, I wouldn't be able to afford my living expenses. I'm living with the future in-laws, but I still have to buy gas and my own soap and such (They only cover food). Work/study payments go only toward tuition, and that won't help me with other costs. And, I would definitely not be able to get an apartment without an actual paycheck. I'm currently working at Wal-Mart, and I make $7.20 an hour (will get a raise in 90 days) and $8.20 an hour on Sundays. I have been working 35 hours a week, but I have to reduce it to 24 a week, because I literally have no time to do homework or study, and if I flunk out of college, there's no point in going through any of this anyway. I've been getting the Subsidized Stafford Loans for myself every year, in which the Gov't pays my interest until I graduate. My parents did get a PLUS loan my FIRST semester of college, but under the conditions that I have to pay it back, not them. Anyways, hope this info makes more sense of things.