FAFSA Tip: Eligibility for Independent Student Status | 10.08.10
I have received some inquiries about my previous blog: Four Bizarre things you did not know about the FAFSA.
What qualifies you as an Independent Student?
If one or any of the following apply to you, then you will be considered an Independent Student:
- You are enrolled in a Masters program, Doctorate Degree, or graduate Certification program
- age does not matter, if you are enrolled in any of these types of programs you are considered and independent student
- You have a child or children that are your legal dependent(s)
- you may have a family member etc. that is considered your dependent…he/she does not necessarily have to be a child
- You are married
- You are under the age of 24 and both of your parents are deceased
- You were a ward of your state until you were 18 years of age
- You are 24 years of age or older
- You are a Veteran of the United States Armed Force
- You were a foster child after the age of 13.
- You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge.
- You are homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison.
Want more details, visit: FAFSA Online : Independent Students
The most important aspect of this is to remember that your school has the right to reassess certain circumstances, a process called professional judgment.
Some students have no contact with their parents, and therefore cannot use their tax information for filing the FAFSA. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need to go to your school’s financial aid office and ask them for help. Chances are, you’ll also need to bring plentiful documentation (rent, utilities, etc.) to prove that your situation is as you say it is. You’ll be asking for a professional judgment override on dependency status.
What this means is, if you’re under 24, in order to file as an independent, you must first go to your local courthouse and ask to appear before a judge to be ‘legally emancipated’ and apply as an independent student.
Update: We just wrote a pretty helpful blog about how people in situations like yours can get a FAFSA dependency change. For information on this, read Appealing Your FAFSA Dependency Status
More: When are the FAFSA Deadlines
Five most recent FAFSA form help blog posts:
5 Most Recent Student Loans Blog Posts:
The Student Loan Help blog is sponsored in part by:
I’m 19. My family & I’s house burnt down in February. We lost literally everything we had (no insurance). My Mom and stepdad moved down South to have a new beginning, I was forced to move in with Grandparents. In July I will have to move into apartment close to college. I have little to no contact with my father. I pay for all of my own expenses making $12,000 a year. Do you think I can be considered an Independent student?
My mother isn’t involved with my life, and my dad kicked me out when I was in 7th grade. He sent me to live with my grandfather, and the situation is almost worse here. I’m a junior in high school, and i’m starting to look for colleges. I’m moving out of my house when I’m 18 to move in with a friend, can I call myself an independent on applications for scholarships and financial aid?
No, you’d have to appeal your aid status to a financial aid officer. For more information, you should check with your school’s financial aid office.
Ill turn 24 in late October this year will i be considered a depended in the fall semester?
Thanks a lot for the article post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
I am 23 years old, and I will be 24 in May of 2012. I am currently in my fourth year of college and reaching my maximum federal loan amount as an dependent student. I just found out that I will have to attend one more year of college. Can the fact I will be considered a dependent student extend my loan amount for the 2012-2013?
I’m assuming you meant you will be independent, and if so, yes. Independent students are able to take out more Stafford loans, and depending on how much you make currently, you may qualify for more aid in general when filing as independent.