Return to Special Aid Rules

Dependency Determination

Dependent vs. Independent

The federal government has established criteria for classifying financial aid applicants as dependent or independent.  If you are dependent, your parents' assets and income as well as your own are considered when determining your financial need.  If you are independent, your need is evaluated solely on your (and your spouse's if married) income and assets.

If you can legitimately answer "YES" to any of the following questions, you are considered independent for aid purposes for the 2006-07 academic year starting in fall 2006.  If not, you are dependent and need biological or adoptive parent information on your FAFSA form.

• Were you born before January 1, 1983?

• At the beginning of the 2006-07 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, or graduate certificate, etc)?

• At the time you filled out the FAFSA, were you married?

• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

• 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, 2007?

• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?

• Are you a veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces?

If you cannot check "YES" to any item, you are considered dependent on your parents and must include their financial information on your financial aid forms.  If you think you have extenuating circumstances that would exempt you from including parental information, you may contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your situation.

Please note that the U. S. Department of Education DOES NOT weigh in factors like:

• Parents do not financially support you

• Parents do not claim you as an exemption on their tax return

• You do not live with your parents

• You pay all your own expenses

These items alone DO NOT make you an independent student for financial aid purposes.  If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Dependency Overrides

Updated 10/22/2007