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How do I know if I am a dependent or an independent student?

These questions are used to determine, according to law, whether you are a dependent or an independent student for purposes of calculating an EFC.

To check if you have to provide parent(s) information on the 2008-09 FAFSA, you must answer "NO" to ALL following eight questions:

1. Were you born before January 1, 1985?

2. At the beginning of the 2008-09 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.)?

3. As of today, are you married? (Answer "Yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)

4. Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you?

5. 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?

6. Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?

7. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
   
   Answer "Yes" if you are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for other than state or training purposes.
   
   Answer "No" if you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee who is on active duty for state or training purposes.

8. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

If you answer "No" to all of these questions, you are a dependent student, even if you do not live with your parents. A financial aid administrator (FAA) may make an otherwise dependent student independent in an individual case if he or she can document the determination of independence by reason an individual circumstance. The FAA's decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.

If you answer "Yes" to at least one of the previous seven questions, you do not need to provide parent(s) information.

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