Dependency for financial aid purposes is not the same as dependency for tax purposes. On the FAFSA, you will be asked a series of questions (below). Unless you can answer "Yes" to one of the following, you will be considered a dependent student for your financial aid:

• Are you 24 years old or older?
• At the beginning of the upcoming school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
• As of today, are you married?
• 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 receive more than half of their support from you?
• Are both of your parents deceased, or are you or were you 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?
• Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
• Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
• In the past year, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• In the past year, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• In the past year, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

One of the most common questions we are asked by students is whether they can ‘declare themselves independent.’ Unfortunately, unless you can answer "Yes" to one of the questions above, you will be considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes and will need to submit your parents’ income information on the FAFSA - even if they do not claim you on their taxes or provide any financial support to you.

Only in the rarest of situations - when there is documentation of a complete break in the family situation - can our office override the general dependency criteria. If you think your situation might be classified as a complete break in the family situation, please contact our office and consult with one of our staff.