Dependency Status
Certain questions on the student aid application will determine whether the student is considered dependent upon their parents and must report their parent's income and assets as well as the student's, or whether the student is independent and need to report only student income (and that of a spouse).
Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the idea that students' parents have the primary responsibility of paying for their children's education. Students who have access for parental support should not receive federal funds at the expense of students who do not.
The student is considered independent if:
- born before January 1, 1985 (2008-09 academic year), January 1, 1986 (for the 2009-10 academic year)
- a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
(a veteran is a former member of the armed forces who served on active duty, and who did not receive a dishonorable discharge) (National Guardsman or Reservists are not considered veterans, nor are ROTC students)
- a ward of the court or both of their parents are decreased and they do not have an adoptive parent or legal guardian
- has legal dependents other than a spouse
- married
- graduate/professional student
If the student has a child who gets more than half of his or her support from them, they may count the child as a legal dependent. A student may count other people as legal dependents if they live with the student and get more than half of their support from the student, and will continue to get this support during the school year.
Students may apply as independent if they are expecting a child and the child will be born by June 30 of the award year, as long as the child will be dependent upon the student during the award year.
If the student's dependency status changes at any time during the award year, they should notify their financial aid administrator immediately.
