New independence rules require explanation!!!

One of the new criteria for independence for the 2009-2010 years states that if the student is declared "emancipated" by the courts, while a minor prior to the age of majority in that state, they will be considered independent for financial aid purposes. However, the trouble with that most people don't understand what that means. Often students assume that if they don't live at home and pay all of their own bills, they are considered emancipated. This assumption is incorrect. First of all, not all states have regulations regarding emancipation. For example, in New York state, there is no legal emancipation process. For emancipation of a minor to take place in a state that recognizes emancipation, there has to be an actual court hearing and declaration from the court that the individual has been emancipated from the parents, prior to the age of majority, which in most states is the age of 18.

These independence criteria are in place to assist students in unique family circumstances, whom, for whatever reasons have not had the benefits of a functional family situations. The new regulations are not in place to give people a way around the law in order to secure government education funding.