Am I Considered Dependent or Independent?

When you apply for federal student aid for 2022-23 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, 1999?
At the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?
As of today, are you married? Answer 'yes' if you are separated, but not divorced.
Do you have children who received more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023?
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, 2023.
At any time since you turned 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
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?
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
At any time on or after July 1, 2021, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
At any time on or July 1, 2021, 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 or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
At any time on or July 1, 2021, 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?

 

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.  If you have a unique situation, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your options.