8. AM I AN "INDEPENDENT" STUDENT?
For 2012 -2013 federal financial aid, a student is considered independent if he or she can answer "Yes" to any one of the thirteen independence questions: (Students may be required to provide supportive documentation.)
The first eight questions are:
1. Were you born before January 1, 1989?
2. As of today, are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated, but not
divorced.)
3. At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, will you be working on a
master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, Ph.D., Ed.D.,
graduate certificate, etc.)?
4. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces for purposes
other than training?
5. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
6. Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you
between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013?
7. 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, 2013?
8. 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?
(See the 2012-13 FAFSA for five additional independence questions.)
If you answer "No" to all thirteen questions you are not considered to be an independent student for purposes of receiving federal financial aid. You are required to provide parental information.
Dependent students with unusual family circumstances may request to be declared independent. An "Independence Appeal" request form is available in the Financial Aid office. (Note: The federal government does not consider a student who is "self-supporting" and not living with parents to be an unusual circumstance in and of itself.)
