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Dependency Status |
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When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to certain questions will determine whether you're considered dependent on your parents--and, therefore, whether you must report their income and assets as well as your own--or whether you're independent and must report only your own income and assets (and those of your spouse, if you're married).
You're an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you:
If you claim to be an independent student, your school may ask you to submit proof before you can receive any federal student aid. If you think you have unusual circumstances that would make you independent even though none of the above criteria apply to you, talk to your aid administrator. He or she can change your status if he or she thinks your circumstances warrant it based on the documentation you provide. But remember, the aid administrator won't automatically do this. That decision is based on his or her judgment, and it's final--you can't appeal it to the U.S. Department of Education. Courtesy of: The Financial Aid Student Guide from the U.S. Department of Education | |
Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student
aid programs are based on the idea that students (and their parents or spouse,
if applicable) have the primary responsibility for paying for their
postsecondary education. Students who have access to parental support (dependent
students) should not receive need-based federal funds at the expense of students
who do not have such access (independent students).
