My 18 year old son is away in Utah, I am in IL . He is in college with loans and scholarships and I also have loans out to pay for his expenses. Can I claim him?

[marigoldanne]

He is also going to apply for residency this year. I don't know if by claiming him that will affect his residency status.

[DianeW]

You can claim your son providing his student loans, his earnings from work, if applicable, and other taxable income does not total more than half of the cost of his support.  Your son cannot be providing more than half of his own support.  Scholarships are not counted.

He must live with you in the home for more than half the year (except for temporary absences, such as school). Being away at school for temporary absences such as college does not indicate he doesn't live with you.  The qualifying Child Rules are attached for your review.  

His residency status will be for 2017, so this should not be affected by your 2016 tax return, but you should check facts with the applicable agency .