Am I Considered Dependent or Independent?
When you apply for federal student aid for 2013-2014 with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will answer questions that determine whether you are considered dependent or independent.
| The questions are... |
Yes |
No |
| Were you born before January 1, 1990? |
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| At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program? |
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| As of today are you married? Answer 'yes' if you are separated, but not divorced. |
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Do you have children who received more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014?
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| Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you , now and through June 30, 2014. |
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| Are both of your parents deceased or are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court? |
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Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
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Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
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At anytime 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?
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Are you, or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination.
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| Are you, or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination? |
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| At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? |
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| At any time on or July 1, 2012, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? |
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| At any time on or July 1, 2012, 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? |
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If you answer 'No' to all of the above criteria, the Department of Education will consider you a dependent student. Parental information must be provided by your birth parent(s) or adoptive parent(s). Parental information cannot be provided by grandparents, legal guardians or foster parents.