What if the FAFSA wants my parent’s information but I think I am independent?

Modified on Fri, Dec 16, 2022 at 4:52 PM

If you answer no to all of these questions, then you may be considered a dependent student and may be required to provide your parents’ financial information when completing the FAFSA:
  

  1. Will you be 24 or older by Jan. 1 of the school year for which you are applying for financial aid?
    • For example, if you plan to start school in August 2023 for the 2023–24 school year, will you be 24 by Jan. 1, 2023 (i.e., were you born before Jan. 1, 2000)?
  2. Are you married or separated but not divorced?
  3. Will you be working toward a master’s or doctorate degree (such as an M.A., MBA, M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.)?
  4. Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?
  5. Do you have dependents (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
  6. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training?
  7. Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
  8. At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a ward or dependent of the court?
  9. Are you an emancipated minor or are you in a legal guardianship as determined by a court?
  10. Are you an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?


For more information, visit studentaid.gov/dependency or contact Student Financial Services via the Support Hub by submitting a ticket or emailing [email protected]
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