Change to Dependency Status
- Dependent Students
- Dependent Students must report their parent's income and assets as well as their own when applying for federal financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education automatically considers you dependent if you answer no to all of the following questions:
- Were you born before January 1, 1985?
- Will you be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program (beyond a bachelor's degree) at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year?
- Were you married the day you filled out your FAFSA?
- Do you have children that you support financially with more than half of your income?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and that you support financially with more than half of your income, now and through June 30, 2009?
- Are both your parents deceased or are you (or were until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
- Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
- If you were able to answer yes to any of these questions you are considered independent.
- Independent Students
- Independent Students only report their own income and assets (and those of a spouse, if married) when applying for federal financial aid.
- However, if you answered no to all of the questions above but have unusual circumstances, a dependency override may occur. Some examples of unusual circumstances are if a student has been a victim of domestic violence and is no longer living with his or her parents as a result of this violent environment. If you believe you have an unusual circumstance please go to the Customer Service Options to discuss your situation with a counselor. If after meeting with your SFS Counselor it is determined that a dependency override should be made, your counselor will then inform you what documentation will be necessary to process the override.