EFC to 0? WOW!

[BrandonTexas]

Ok, so this shocked me a bit.  I am used to having to report my parents on my FAFSA (they don't help with my school) and having an EFC of something like 30k a year.  Now, I am 22 and going to law school next fall.  The FAFSA told me I didn't have to report my parents.  So, I reported only myself and my EFC went to 0!!! 

Here is my question. 
If this is the case for most graduate students (because of age), how can the law schools discern who needs aid (someone like me) and someone who's parents are still helping them with finances?

[StepUpT0theMike]

Almost all schools will require parental financial info in some form.  You will most likely need to fill out the Need Access profile, the CSS profile, school specific financial aid forms, and/or provide copies of your parents' tax returns.  The good news about the EFC of zero is that you will qualify for the maximum federal loads.

[BrandonTexas]

Are these forms (the school specific ones) something that the school will request, or should I contact each school individually on my own?  Do they want them before or after acceptance?

[StepUpT0theMike]

In general the schools want the Need Access and CSS profiles by March 1 or ASAP after that.  In my experience the school specific form deadlines were a mix of before and after acceptance.
Helpful Links:
LSD thread for a partial list of the requirements for various schools: http://www.lawschooldiscussion.org/prelaw/index.php/topic,50147.0.html
List of Need Access schools: http://www.needaccess.org/schools.htm
CSS profile w/ list of schools: https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp.