Dependent or Independent Student

You were born after January 1, 2001 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

A student is automatically considered to be independent of his/her parents if he/she has reached the age of 24 on or before December 31 of the award year (i.e. December 31, 2024 for the 2025-2026 academic year).

When you were age 13 or older, both your parents were deceased or you were in foster care or a dependent ward of the court.

As of the day you apply for aid, you are an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence.

As of the day you apply for aid, you are in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence.

You are considered a veteran if you 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 state or training purposes, or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.

You are enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program (i.e. law, medicine) at the beginning of the academic year.

You are married as of the day the FAFSA is completed (even if you are separated and not divorced).

• You have a child or children who will receive more than half their support from you between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, or;
• You have legal dependents (other than children or a spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you now and through June 30, 2026.

• At any time, you were determined to be an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, determined by your high school, district homeless liaison or director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• After July 1, 2025, 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.

If you do not meet one of the previous conditions but have an extenuating circumstance a financial aid administrator may adjust your status to independent. The unusual situation must be documented to the satisfaction of the financial aid administrator.