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05.18.07 | Dependent VS. Independent Status
Ok, let’s go over a common scenario…
You’re 21 years old, have been living on your own for a couple of years, are legal drinking age and yet you still need your parents information when filling out the FAFSA. It seems unbelievable, but it is true. The US Department of Education considers a student a dependent up until the age of 24 except in certain instances. Below I have broken down the difference between an Independent VS. Dependent student.
Independent Status
- You are at least 24 years old on the day you file your FAFSA
- You are or will be enrolled in a masters or Doctoral degree program at the beginning of the school year
- You are married on the day you file your FAFSA
- You are a parent
- You have dependents other than your spouse who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply
- Both your parents are deceased (or were until age 18) a ward of dependent of the court
- You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
- You’re a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
If none of the above criteria apply to you, you’re a dependent student - even if your IRS tax status is different, even if you’re legally emancipated from your parents, even if you have no idea where your parents are.
That said, in rare cases, your school’s financial aid officer can override the FAFSA results to help you get more aid if you can demonstrate a compelling case that your parents and family provide absolutely no support, and therefore you’re not really a dependent. This is called a professional judgement override and while they are granted extremely rarely, they do exist. If you need a professional judgement override for dependency status, gather up as much documentation as you can, from rent bills to utility bills to the legal judgement from a court emancipating you from your parents and bring it to your financial aid advisor. While you’re not guaranteed anything, it’s at least worth a try.
If you are still unsure of your status please feel free to contact the Student Loan Network.
Hi, I am 19 years old, but want to become independent, how can I accomplish this?
December 18th, 2007 | #
Hi, I am having the same problem as Alejandro. I really need the fafsa for college but i am not able to use my parents w2 forms. is there a way without being married or having a child that i can do this?
March 23rd, 2008 | #
What you need to do is get the financial aid officer at the school you want to go to to evaluate your special circumstances and declare you as independent. From what I understand, the only way is if you don’t have ANY contact with your parents at all. You must also get three different people (not family or friends) to write letters stating that you have no contact with your parents.
June 7th, 2008 | #
I am 21 years and live alone, work full time, pay my own rent, pay my own bills, bought my own car, and do my own taxes. So pretty much independent. My parents do not live in the US and do not have SSNs either. One of the financial advisors said that i will need to put my parents info in the FAFSA, but i was hoping there would be a way around this cuz like i said, I pretty much am an independent individual. Plz let me know if there’s another option. Thank you.
June 7th, 2008 | #
I just updated this post to answer your questions. Enjoy!
June 13th, 2008 | #
[...] one of the following requirements to be considered independent from your parents: Here is a link link to FAFSA on line "The US Department of Education considers a student a dependent up until the age of 24 [...]
June 28th, 2008 | #
I’m David, greencard holder, 22, both of my parents passed away years ago, living alone with a partner and a child that’s hers. I filled out my fafsa already as independent, claiming my partner as a dependent, receiving more than half of her support from me. In my taxes I had no dependents since she has no SS#. I’m getting more money for school by claiming myself as independent?
July 1st, 2008 | #
David - if the child in the house is deriving its support from you, and you claimed the child as a dependent on your taxes, then you would be an independent. Your partner would need to be your spouse to make the claim for her.
July 1st, 2008 | #
[...] be an independent. Your partner would need to be your spouse to make the claim for her. + See this blog post on who is a dependent vs. independent student + M Reyes writes in: I’m confused as of what to borrow : parent plus loan or Alternate [...]
July 1st, 2008 | #
this dosent make any sense why am i still a dependent if im going to have no support of my parents.(moving out). is there another way?
August 2nd, 2008 | #
Hi I`m 18 years old and having the same problem I have’nt been living with my mother for over 2 years and dont have any contact with my father I started to fill out my fasfa and was ask to pervide my parent information. What can I do to become independent.
August 8th, 2008 | #