Dependency status for federal financial aid is determined by the questions answered in Step 3 of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Questions for 2023-2024
- Were you born before Jan. 1, 2000?
- As of today, are you married? (Also answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
- At the beginning of the 2022–23 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., graduate certificate, etc.)?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? (If you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee, are you on active duty for other than state or training purposes?)
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?*
- Do you now have—or will you have—children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024?
- 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, 2024?
- 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?
- As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
- Does someone other than your parent or stepparent have legal guardianship of you, as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2022, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?**
- At any time on or after July 1, 2022, 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 were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2022, 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?
* Answer “No” (you are not a veteran) if you (1) have never engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), (2) are currently a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps student or a cadet or midshipman at a service academy, (3) are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for state or training purposes, or (4) were engaged in active duty in the U.S. armed forces but released under dishonorable conditions. Also, answer “No” if you’re currently serving in the U.S. armed forces and will continue to serve through June 30, 2024.
* Answer “Yes” (you are a veteran) if you (1) have engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. armed forces or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies and (2) were released under a condition other than dishonorable. Also, answer “Yes” if you’re not a veteran now but will be one by June 30, 2024.
** If you don’t have a determination that you’re homeless, but you believe you’re an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, answer “No” to the FAFSA questions concerning being homeless. Then contact your financial aid office to explain your situation. “Homeless” means lacking fixed or regular housing. You may be homeless if you’re living in shelters, parks, motels, hotels, cars, or temporarily living with someone else because you have nowhere else to go.
Unusual Circumstances
There are unusual circumstances in which a student cannot answer “yes” to any of the above questions, but may be considered for a Dependency Override.