Hey guys,

I'm about to graduate this may with my bachelors degree, and I've applied to several graduate school programs. My parents (bless them) supported me fully for my undergraduate degree, so I've never had to work (though I've done lots of volunteering and study abroad so I have at least something on my resume), and I will not have any student loan debt.

The thing is, the deal has always been that I'm "cut off" after this degree. So I will be paying for my masters, and any further education, on my own. I'm in a field where I will need a PhD eventually to get the type of job I want, so I need to figure out how to support myself for what may be up to 6-7 years more of tuition.

I am in the U.S. I have something like $4,000 in my savings account, and I have two mutual funds to my name (which I barely know how to manage), with a total of something like $16,000 in them.

I need to file my FAFSA soon, but as I understand, the FAFSA will show that I have been dependent on my parents for the last year, who have rather high incomes. How will I get any loans or grants with their incomes on my record? According to the FAFSA's standards (www.fastweb.com . . .), I meet none of the criteria to be considered an independent student (Other than being a graduate student - which I will be, but I'm not one now). So for the purposes of my initial financial aid package, am I just screwed?

I'm applying for lots of summer jobs, and I will apply for ones near my graduate school as soon as I can - but I won't know until April where I have been accepted. I've also applied for TA positions and grants, but I'm afraid I won't get much sympathy due to my past financial background.

I know there are many lovely people here who are managing it all on their own. Any advice would be super appreciated!!

You should still be able to get loans at the very least. I did even though my parents paid for everything undergrad (I did have undergrad loans though I don't know if that made a difference). I don't know a ton about how all the financial stuff works but I think as long as you've applied to be a grad student you'd be considered one for Fafsa purposes, and then when you enroll in a school you have to send them something to prove it and get the funds. There's always a chance of scholarship and stuff too. Most PhD programs are funded so you won't have to worry paying for that, you'll be teaching or researching to pay for your tuition if you end up going that far.