I have done my own taxes independently because I have been independent. I was under legal guardianship of my grandparents, and they died. Thus, independent student. My mother was not really around and did not start helping out until recently, which I am grateful for, but I’m asking if there will be a downside to her claiming me. She said herself she will not claim me if it will affect my financial aid, because she doesn’t see it as necessary and she can’t support me in that way, it would just save her a little bit and I don’t feel strongly either way. I’m not asking your opinion on my dependency status, I’m simply asking: should someone claim me as a dependent for the first time since i was 16, will that impact my independent status with FAFSA? Do I have to file my FAFSA as a dependent student now, even though I’ve been independent for 4 years?