How to declare 20-year-old independent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To what end?

OP is talking about gaming Fadsa to get more financial aid.

It’s funny that you think you can do this. It won’t work, his financial aid will still be based on your income, all that will happen is that you won’t get the dependent tax benefit.

(You’re not the only one to have thought of this, btw.)

If you’re really committed to this, have him get married to a friend’s kid - then you solve the problem for 2 families! Your kids can file as independent! The kids can get divorced after graduation. The only other option is for your kid to have a baby - which will certainly be more expensive than whatever you save in aid money.

What dependent tax benefit? There aren't any personal exemptions anymore and 20 is too old to qualify for the child tax credit. I guess there are still some higher ed credits, but I'm not even sure about those.

[Anonymous]

Not exactly the same as what OP is contemplating, but similar motives https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/30/parents-exploit-legal-loophole-to-get-their-kids-more-college-aid.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To what end?

OP is talking about gaming Fadsa to get more financial aid.

It’s funny that you think you can do this. It won’t work, his financial aid will still be based on your income, all that will happen is that you won’t get the dependent tax benefit.

(You’re not the only one to have thought of this, btw.)

If you’re really committed to this, have him get married to a friend’s kid - then you solve the problem for 2 families! Your kids can file as independent! The kids can get divorced after graduation. The only other option is for your kid to have a baby - which will certainly be more expensive than whatever you save in aid money.

What dependent tax benefit? There aren't any personal exemptions anymore and 20 is too old to qualify for the child tax credit. I guess there are still some higher ed credits, but I'm not even sure about those.

You can claim them as a dependent family member, same as you would an elderly parent you support in your own home (far less than it used to be though). https://www.thebalance.com/claiming-adult-dependent-tax-rules-4129176

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not exactly the same as what OP is contemplating, but similar motives https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/30/parents-exploit-legal-loophole-to-get-their-kids-more-college-aid.html

OP's child is currently a Maryland resident. He's lived in Maryland all his life, currently lives there and has a business there. He's 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not exactly the same as what OP is contemplating, but similar motives https://www.cnbc.com/2019/07/30/parents-exploit-legal-loophole-to-get-their-kids-more-college-aid.html

OP's child is currently a Maryland resident. He's lived in Maryland all his life, currently lives there and has a business there. He's 20.

http://registrar.umd.edu/resclasspolicy.html

III. REBUTTAL EVIDENCE

Satisfying the requirements listed in paragraphs 1-8 of Section II, does not rebut the presumption that a student is in Maryland primarily to attend an educational institution. To overcome the presumption, a student must present additional evidence.

To determine a student's intent, the University will evaluate evidence of a student's objectively verifiable conduct. Evidence that does not document a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to and including the last date available to register for courses in the semester/term for which the student seeks in-state tuition status is generally considered an unfavorable factor under this policy. Evidence of intent must be clear and convincing and will be evaluated not only by the amount presented but also based upon the reliability, authenticity, credibility and relevance of the evidence.

The absence of objective, relevant evidence is generally considered an unfavorable factor. A student's statement of intent to remain in Maryland in the future is generally not considered to be objective evidence under this policy.

Additional evidence that will be considered includes, but is not limited to, the following:

A. Source of financial support:

Maryland employment and earnings history through sources beyond those incident to enrollment as a student in an educational institution e.g., beyond support provided by work study, scholarships, grants, stipends, aid, student loans, etc. (Tuition costs will be considered as a student expense only to the extent tuition exceeds the amount of any educational scholarships, grants, student loans, etc.), or
Evidence the student is Financially Dependent upon a person who is a resident of Maryland.
B. Substantial participation as a member of a professional, social, community, civic, political, athletic or religious organization in Maryland, including professionally related school activities that demonstrate a commitment to the student's community or to the State of Maryland.

C. Registration as a Maryland resident with the Selective Service, if male.

D. Evidence showing the student uses his or her Maryland address as his or her sole address of record for all purposes including on health and auto insurance records, bank accounts, tax records, loan and scholarship records, school records, military records, leases, etc.

E. An affidavit from a person unrelated to the student that provides objective, relevant evidence of a student's conduct demonstrating the student's intent to live permanently in Maryland.

If OP's child makes his MD apartment his address for all communications, that along with being registered to vote in MD, registered for selective services in MD, having a business in MD and living in MD for the past 240 months (not just 12) should rebut the presumption that he's not a Maryland resident because his parents moved. He should be able to show convincing evidence of his intent to permanently reside in MD. OP, make sure your DS has an apartment not just a dorm and have all information at the university changed to that address. Also have bank statements, etc. redirect to that address.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like OP's son moved to MD from out of state for college and has been paying OOS tuition, and now that he's an upperclassman OP hopes he can pay in state tuition. That's not how it works, OP.

It is in other states, and why not? My brother did this at Clemson. Virginia won’t let you do it. I see nothing wrong with a kid getting in state tuition if he has a year round lease, a job and a drivers license and voter registration in that state.

I agree. That kid is a Maryland resident. Even if his parents relocate to another state, he is still a Maryland resident who is working, living, voting in Maryland and has a Maryland driver's license.

If his parents move to another state that does not mean that he then also qualifies for in state tuition (grad school?) in his parents' state because *HE* is still a Maryland resident.

That's irrelevant, there are plenty of scenarios where a person is a resident *nowhere*. In state tuition is a perk states offer, but it's determined by each state, and there are gaps. Moving during senior year of HS, would typically mean no residency in either state.