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Who Qualifies as an Independent Student?

There are thirteen (13) basic questions on the FAFSA that help determine your dependency for federal aid. If you answer “NO” to all of the following questions, you are considered a dependent student and must file your FAFSA with parental information. If you answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you are considered an independent student.

  1. Were you born before January 1, 1986?
  2. On the day you complete the FAFSA, are you married? (Also answer “YES” if you are separated, but not divorced.)
  3. At the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)?
  4. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
  5. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
  6. Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010?
  7. 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, 2010?
  8. 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?
  9. Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
  10. Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
  11. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  12. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  13. At any time on or after July 1, 2008, 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?

Note: Students who answered “NO” to all of the dependency questions but have a special circumstance that may warrant a change in dependency status, please read the following information:

The following are special circumstances in which we may use professional judgment to consider you as independent. If you believe you fall into one of these categories you should meet with your financial aid counselor. You will be required to provide documentation to support your request for independent status.

* Single undergraduate student (without dependents) under 24 years of age, not residing with either parent due to extenuating circumstances ,AND who receives either public assistance (cash benefits) or Social Security at the time of application.

* Single undergraduate student (without dependents) under 24 years of age, not claimed by parent(s) but claimed by someone other than a parent, AND who does not reside with or receive support from either parent.

* Single undergraduate student (without dependents) under 24 years of age who previously lived with parent BUT is no longer at home AND is supporting themselves due to special circumstances (abuse, etc.) AND is receiving no support from either parent.

* Single undergraduate student (without dependents) under 24 years of age who has not and does not reside with parent AND has been raised since childhood by someone other than a parent.

* Single undergraduate student (without dependents) under 24 years of age who has special circumstances approved by the Associate Director or Director of Financial Aid

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