Who is a dependent student?

One of the most common questions we're asked is "what defines a dependent student". The FAFSA does not take into account unusual family circumstances or situations like legally emancipated minors. For the 2009-2010 academic year, to be considered an independent student, you MUST meet one of the following conditions:

• You were born before January 1, 1986.
• You will be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program (beyond a bachelor's degree) at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.
• You're married as of the day you apply (or you're separated but not divorced).
• You have children who receive more than half their support from you.
• You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply and through June 30, 2009.
• Both your parents are deceased, or you are (or were until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court.
• You're currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training OR you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. Need more details on this topic?

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More FAFSA Questions and Answers:

• What are the FAFSA deadlines?
• Who is a dependent student?
• What's my FAFSA status?
• What if my parents do not want to submit their information for the FAFSA?
• I filled out my FAFSA but was not eligible, what do I do now?
• What is the purpose of a FAFSA Renewal form?
• What if I have a non-traditional family situation?
• What's my FAFSA PIN?
• Do I have to fill out the FAFSA every school year?
• How do you go about filling out the FAFSA if I am divorced and remarried? Does my ex fill one out as well? Do we list our current spouses?
• In order to get a Stafford loan or a Parent Plus loan, do I need to fill out a FAFSA?
• Can you mail me a FAFSA?
• Can you mail me a renewal FAFSA?
• How long is the FAFSA process?
• What are the final steps of the FAFSA?
• How long does it take for my school to receive the FAFSA?
• What's the difference between a FAFSA and a renewal FAFSA?
• What's the difference between a paper FAFSA and a FAFSA on the Web?
• Where should I mail my completed FAFSA paper application?
• What's the difference between a FAFSA application and a FASFA application?