Independent students

If you are independent, you’ll report only your income and assets (and those of your spouse, if you are married).

Specific rules govern whether you are considered independent for the purposes of student financial aid. In these situations, at least one of these conditions must apply:

• You are at least 24 years old by Dec. 31 of the award year;
• You are married as when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is submitted;
• You are or will be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program (beyond a bachelor ’s degree) during the award year;
• You have least one child who receives 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 and will continue to receive more than half their support from you through June 30, 2010;
• You are an orphan or ward of the court (or were a ward of the court until age 18); or
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. ("Veteran" includes students who attended a U.S. service academy and were released under a condition other than dishonorable.)

Dependency override

In special or unusual circumstances, the school's financial aid administrator can change your dependency status on reviewing the documents you provide if they think circumstances warrant it.

The decision relies on their best judgment and is final — it cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.