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My Child Does Not Live With Me, Why Do You Need Parent Information?

When students apply for federal student aid, answers to the questions on the FAFSA will determine whether the student is considered a dependent or independent student.

Dependent students must report their parent's income and assets as well as their own. If students are considered dependent, parents are expected to contribute toward the cost of the student's education. Federal student aid programs are based on the concept that a dependent student's parents have the primary responsibility for paying for their child's education.

Students are independent if at least one of the following applies:

  1. born before January 1, 1989.
  2. are or will be enrolled in a master's or doctoral degree program (beyond a bachelor's degree) at the beginning of the 2012-2013 year.
  3. married on the day the student applies for federal aid.
  4. have children who receive more than half their support from the student.
  5. have dependents (other than children or spouse) who live with the student and who receive more than half their support from the student at the time of applying.
  6. both parent's are deceased.
  7. at the time the student turned age 13, both parents were deceased, student was in foster care, dependent or ward of the court.
  8. a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
  9. are or were an emancipated minor as determined by a court in the student's state of legal residence.
  10. are or was in legal guardianship as determined by a court in the student's state of legal residence.
  11. on or after July 1, 2012 were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless as determined by a high school or school district homeless liaison.
  12. on or after July 1, 2012 a director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of housing and Urban Development determine that the student was an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.
  13. on or after July 1, 2012 a director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that the student was an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at rick of being homeless.
  14. currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.

If none of the above apply, then the student is a dependent student and will be required to provide parental income and asset information.  If the student has extenuating circumstances, they may want to contact the Financial Aid Office at 541-383-7260.

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