How to renew my FAFSA for the new school year without starting over?

FAFSA application Based on Student's income? is this bad?

• I was adopted my sophomore year of high school but my adoptive mother is against paying for my college due to the fact that she doesn't have enough money or something... i dont know... She claims me on her most recent 2011 taxes ( i am currently 19, will turn 20 in a month) and I applied for FAFSA yesterday and got the EFC of 0046. Does anyone know what this means? However.. starting from next year she said she won't be helping me pay for my college nor will she claim me on her taxes. I don't plan on quitting school and I have recently got a part time job. But the question is.. Could I apply for FAFSA based on my income if I am 20? and if so.. will i be getting less help from FAFSA since I will only be working part time as opposed to my mom's full time? I will be attending school as a full time student.

• Answer:

  FAFSA looks at the total amount of financial resources that you have available to you, which is not dependent on whether it is part-time or full-time. If the government finds that you have less money available to you, then they are more likely to declare you as being eligible for financial aid in the form of grants and/or loans. You can apply for FAFSA if you are 20 years old, and I definately advise you to do so, especially if no one is claiming you on their taxes. Don't forget that you can apply for private scholarships by contacting local organizations and filling out an application at your university. Go into your financial aid office at your institution and ask to speak with a financial aid advisor as soon as possible. You're doing the right thing by planning ahead and being determined to stay in school no matter what it takes. Hang in there and don't be afraid to ask the people at your school for help. That's what they are there for. Get on the Department of Education's website, or the main FAFSA page and read through the information that they have posted. You can also let your mother/guardian know that she can apply for parent loans to help out with expenses while you are a student. Also, look into local internships to work at part-time to get some experience in the field that interests you. Good luck, and keep your chin up.