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Dependent or Independent?
When you apply for federal
student aid, your answers to certain questions will determine
whether you are considered a dependent of your parents or
an independent student. If you are considered dependent, your
parents' income and assets, as well as your own, must
be reported. If you are independent, you will need to report only your
own income and assets (and those of your spouse, if you're
married). Not living with your parents does not
automatically classify you as independent.
Students are classified as dependent or independent because
federal student aid programs are based on the principle that
students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) are
considered the primary source of support for college.
Independent Students
If you are
independent, you must report only your own income and assets
(and those of your spouse, if you are married).
You're an independent
student if you can answer yes to at least one of the following:
- Were you born before January 1, 1985 (for 08-09 school year)?
- At the beginning of the school year, will you
be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA,
MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
- As of today, are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are
separated but not divorced.)
- Do you have children who receive more than half of their
support from you?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or
spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of
their support from you now and through June 30, 2009 (for 08-09
school year)?
- Are both of your parents deceased, or are you or were
you (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
- Are you a veteran of the U. S. Armed Forces?
- Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S.
Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
Dependent Students
You are considered a
dependent student if you answer "NO" to every
question listed in the above section. If you are considered a dependent
of your parents, you must report your parents income and assets as
well as your own.
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