<prompt> Human: So this isnt in regards to me, but my girlfriend. Well call her Sandy. She is 18 years old and we have been living together since September. She worked a part-time job all throughout 2016 and paid her own way through her 1st year at the community college, books and all. At the end of 2016 she told her mom not to claim her as a dependent on her taxes so she would be eligible for the FAFSA. Well, fast-forward and her mom claimed her as dependent. Her mom claimed she the mom paid for the tuition, books, everything. Now after taking Spring semester off for personal reasons she is preparing for SummerFall classes but may be denied the FAFSA grant due to her mother claiming her on her taxes. Is there any course if action she can take to ensure she becomes 100 eligible for the FAFSA? The financial aid office has been no help. edit wording  <response>: She is not independent in the eyes of FAFSA, which is completely separate than the independent title in the eyes of the IRS.Regarding FAFSA, she isnt independent until she turns 24 or gets married most common situations. 