Becoming independent is something that every college student has to deal with at one point or another. For me that time has finally come and I am trying my best to get my life in order to be recognized this way by those institutions that matter like loan companies, school, and the government. I have been listed as a dependent for this year's tax filings by my parents and my goal is to be listed on my own as independent next year and to have the school view me in the same way so that I can reduce my tuition and possibly get a higher set of grants and scholarships next fall.
The way I am going about this is going to be like a checklist, which there is, or requirements by the state and the school to be listed as a resident here. My first big step has been to get all of my bills switched from my parents' names over to mine. This sounds easy but I have been blown away by how may bills I have ad how long it takes to do this stuff. As of now I have only one more address listing that still needs changed because I screwed up when I sent it.
The next big step that I am currently working on is to get some insurance for myself. I have already gotten a temporary medical insurance policy until I have time to get something a little more solid in the next few days. As long as move farther from my old illinois health insurance then I can get more recognition of my status as independent. Of course the short term health insurance is a little bit high for me right now I think that it is worth it to get myself truly on my own two feet as soon as I can.
I know there are probably some of you out there thinking that I am crazy for giving up the help that my parents provide but I just want to get a head start on the rest of my life before it hits me all at once. I think I'll be the one later who isn't freaking out by all of the sudden changes which for me should be a little more gradual. At least that is the plan.