Are You Dependent or Independent?

The answer to this question will determine your eligibility, and the types and amounts of aid you may receive. If you're dependent, your parents' income and assets are considered; if you're independent, you'll be evaluated on your own.

You're an independent student if at least one of these describes you:

• You're 24 years of age or older.
• You're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• You're an orphan or ward of the court (or were until age 18).
• 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 of their support from you.
• You're a graduate or professional student.
• You're married.
• You have special circumstances, as documented by a financial aid administrator.

Some scholarships and other financial aid will require your parents' financial information, whether or not you're a dependent.

For dependent students, these things are considered when calculating your EFC:

• your income and your parents' income
• family assets including savings, stocks and bonds, real estate investments, farm or business ownership, and trusts (equity in a family's primary residence or family farm and retirement funds are excluded)
• age of oldest parent and need for retirement income
• number of children and other dependents in the family household
• number of family members in college
• unusual or extenuating circumstances