How FAFSA Defines an Independent Student

Many families feel that once a student graduates from high school their parents should no longer be financially responsible for them. However, tax dependency and financial aid dependency are different; almost all student aid programs are based on students and their parents both paying for the student's college education.

Dependency Status

Dependency status is difficult to define. To help determine dependency status, federal regulations grant independent status to students who answer "yes" to one or more of the following questions:

• Will you be at least 24 years old before January 1^st of the academic year for which you seek financial aid?
• Are you married?
• Are you enrolled in a graduate or professional education program?
• 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 who receive more than half of their support from you?
• Are both of your parents* deceased, or are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

* Parent ~ For Federal Student Aid (FSA), a biological or adoptive parent is considered a "parent". Someone may also be considered a parent for the purpose of FSA if they are married to a biological or adoptive parent.

Some examples of people who do not count as parents for Federal Student Aid:

• Legal guardian
• Foster parent
• Grandparent
• Other relatives

An applicant cannot update his or her dependency status for changes in their marital status. Information must be accurate "as of the day the application is completed". Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for more information.

Appeals

If you do not meet any of the above criteria for independence, but you think that your situation qualifies you for independent status for financial aid purposes, you may appeal your dependency status using the Independent Appeal Request (2008-2009) form.

Important Notes

The U.S. Department of Education does not consider appeals to change dependency status. Only the ISU Director of Student Financial Aid can change your status if your circumstances justify doing so. The Director's decision is final.

Typically, neither a student's decision not to accept assistance from their parents nor the parents' decision not to provide assistance for their student are considered adequate reasons to justify a change in dependency status.