How to Apply
Dependent or Independent? (07-08)
The federal government has established criteria for classifying financial aid recipients as dependent or independent.
If you are dependent (not self-supporting according to federal criteria), your parents' assets and income as well as your own are considered when determining your financial need. If you are independent, your need is evaluated solely on your own and your spouse’s income and assets.
If you check “YES” to any item in “Step Three” on the 2007-08 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you are considered “independent” for financial aid purposes:
- born before January 1, 1984;
- enrolled in a masters or doctorate program (beyond a bachelor's degree) in 2007-08;
- legally married at the time the student signs the application;
- has children for whom the student provides more than 50% support;
- has legal dependents other than a spouse or children who receive more than half their support from the student;
- is an orphan or a ward of the court (or has been a ward of the court until reaching the age of 18);
- is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training ; or
- is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard).
If you cannot answer “YES” to any item, you are considered dependent on your parent(s) and must include parental financial information on your financial forms. If you think you have extenuating circumstances that would exempt you from including parental information, contact a financial aid adviser at SFA.