Dependency Status

A dependent student is a student that must report parental information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The dependent student is one that meets all of the following conditions:

• Unmarried
• Under the age of 24
• No legal dependents
• Not a veteran of the US armed forces
• Not a graduate student (beyond a bachelor's degree)
• Not a ward of the court or parents are not deceased

An independent student is a student that meets at least one of the following criteria and does not report parental information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid:

• Age 24 or older
• Married
• Has a legal dependent other than a spouse
• An orphan/ward of the court (or were until age 18)
• A veteran of the US armed forces
• Both parents are deceased
• Enrolled in a graduate or professional program (beyond a bachelor's degree)