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Planning Beginner: Education Planning

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Independent Student Status in Financial Aid

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Independent Student Status in Financial Aid

Independent students include only their own income, assets, and those of their spouses (if married) on the financial aid forms to determine their expected family contributions. However, it is not easy to qualify for independent status.

Things To Know

  • Independent students must answer "yes" to one or more of these questions to qualify.

The federal government has set strict guidelines for determining independent status. To qualify, a student must be able to answer "yes" to one or more of the following questions (list is not exhaustive):

  • Will you turn 24 during or before the year of attendance?
  • Are you a veteran of the US armed forces, or currently on active duty?
  • Are you a graduate or professional student?
  • Are you married?
  • Are you an orphan or a ward of the court?
  • Do you have legal dependents (other than a spouse)?

By answering "yes" to any of the above requirements, you are automatically considered independent for federal financial aid purposes. If you answered "no" to all of the questions above, you are considered dependent on your parents for financial aid, even if you don’t live with them and they don’t claim you on their tax return. Some schools may disregard independent status. Note that students may file an appeal with the college financial aid office if they believe they are fully independent of their parents’ support.