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Independent Status

Your answers to questions on the FAFSA® form determine whether you are considered a dependent or independent student.

Personal Circumstance Questions To Determine Dependency Status on the 2024–25 FAFSA® Form

Here are the questions that determine your dependency status for the 2024–25 school year:

  1. Were you born before January 1, 2001?
  2. At the beginning of the 2024-25 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, 2024 and June 30, 2025?
  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, 2025?
  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, 2023, were you identified as unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of homeless by one of the following: (1) your high school or district homeless liaison or designee; (2) the director or designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street reach outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving those experiencing homelessness, (3) the director or designee of a federal TRIO program or GEAR UP program, (4) a financial aid administrator?

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.