Dependency Status
If a student can answer yes to at least one of the following questions, the student is considered to be an independent student for federal student aid purposes. Note: The number shown after each question relates to the question number as shown on the FAFSA.
- Were you born before January 1, 1988? #45
- Are you married? #46
- Are you working on a masters or doctorate program? #47
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training? #48
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces? #49
- Do you have children that you financially support? #50
- Do you have dependents other than your children or spouse that you provide more than 50% of their support? #51
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court? #52*
- As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor? #53*
- As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship? #54*
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did your high school or school district homeless liason determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? #55*
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? #56*
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless? #57*
* If a student answers YES to questions #52-#57, the Financial Aid Administrator at your college may require you to provide proof of these circumstances.