Dependent vs. Independent
Students Status

Dependent Students

Unless you meet any one of the criteria stated under Independent Student Status or there are some exceptional circumstances, you will be considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes.

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Independent Students

Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based on the principle that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) are considered the primary source of support for postsecondary education.

Independent Student Status
    For the 2008-2009 academic year
    For the 2009-2010 academic year

For the 2008-2009 academic year, you’re an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:

• you are 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year;
• you are married;
• you are or will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program (beyond a bachelor’s degree) during the school year;
• you have children who receive more than half their support from you;
• you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you and will continue to receive more than half their support from you through June 30th of the school year;
• you are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18); or
• you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (“Veteran” includes students who attended a U.S. service academy and who were released under a condition other than dishonorable.)
• you are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, you’re an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:

• you are 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year;
• you are married;
• you are or will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program (beyond a bachelor’s degree) during the school year;
• you have children who receive more than half their support from you;
• you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you and will continue to receive more than half their support from you through June 30th of the school year;
• you are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18);
• you are in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination;
• you are/ you were an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination;
• At any time on or after July 1, 2008, the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless;
• At any time on or after July 1, 2008, the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined 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, 2008, your high school or school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless;
• you are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training;
• you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (“Veteran” includes students who attended a U.S. service academy and who were released under a condition other than dishonorable.)
• you are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.