What determines a student's dependency status?

When a student applies for federal student aid, the answers to certain questions will determine whether the student is considered dependent of their parents or whether the student is considered independent. A dependent student must report the parents’ income and assets as well as the student’s income and assets. An independent student must report only the student’s own income and assets (and those of the student’s spouse, if married).

A student is considered independent if at least one of the following applies to the student:

·         the student was born before January 1, 1985;

·         the student is married;

·         the student has legal dependent(s) who receive more than half of their support from the student;

·         the student is an orphan or ward of the court (or was a ward of the court until age 18); or

·         the student is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

If a student cannot answer "yes" to one of the above questions, the student is dependent and parental information must be reported.

rev. 3-03-08

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