Independent or Dependent?

Every year without fail, I get a lot of questions regarding dependency status on the FAFSA. So many questions in fact, that I decided it would make a good topic for a post! Below you will find a list of considerations for dependency status. If none of the below applies, you are considered a dependent student and must report your parent's information on your FAFSA in order to be eligible for financial aid. Please note that being a dependent on the FAFSA has a different definition than being considered a dependent for tax purposes, so it is important to understand the distinction.

Finally, there are some allowances for unique situations with regard to dependency status. If you feel like you have a unique situation, please contact your financial aid office. Overriding a dependency status is not common and typically requires a lot of documentation. Some examples of reasons for a dependency override would include a history of abuse or neglect, a deceased mother with no knowledge of the father, or missing parents. Sadly, paying your own way doesn't count as independence in the eyes of the Department of Education. All decisions are at the discretion of your financial aid office, so please check with them!

You were born before January 1, 1989

You are or will be enrolled in a masters or Doctoral degree program at the beginning of the school year

You are married on the day you file your FAFSA

You are a parent

You have dependents other than your spouse who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply

Both your parents are deceased (or were until age 18) a ward of dependent of the court

You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training

You're a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces

You were a foster child after the age of 13

You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge

You are homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison