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Independent Status

The expected family contribution for education expenses for students who meet the criteria for financial independence is evaluated exclusive of parental support. To be independent for 2020 - 2021, students must answer yes to at least one of the following questions:

  1. Were you born before January 1, 1997?
  2. At the beginning of the 2020 - 21 school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an M.A., M.B.A., M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., or graduate certificate, etc.)?
  3. As of today, are you married?
  4. Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021?
  5. Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2021?
  6. At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
  7. Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?
  8. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
  9. Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
  10. Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
  11. At any time on or before July 1, 2019, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  12. At any time on or after July 1, 2019, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
  13. At any time on or after July 1, 2019, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Students may be required to document their status with the OSFA. Students with unusual or extenuating circumstances relating to independent status should contact the OSFA.