The unique challenges working students confront when seeking financial aid
College students who are financially independent and working while in school face significant barriers when seeking financial aid, according to a new paper from the Brookings Institution. The authors note that nearly half of undergraduate students and all graduate students are considered financially independent in the financial aid system. They find that the number of working students is growing, and that most come from low-income households. The paper argues that by assuming a certain level of parental support, current financial aid formulas effectively tax students who work to support themselves.