Federal Student Financial Aid

FAFSA Dependent and Independent Students

Looking for federal student financial aid information for FAFSA on the web? Let us guide you through the college financial aid application process. One very important question is are you a dependent or independent student for college financial aid purposes? This is not the same as being a dependent for income tax purposes, so it gets confusing.

Many incoming college students wonder if they could claim they are an independent student, which would make them eligible for more student financial aid. Most students going into college are dependent students if they are under age 24, and at least one parent will need to provide parental financial information on the FAFSA.

If you are an independent student looking for financial aid for college, you do not need to report your parent financial information on the FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, you need to report your parents financial information. Keep reading too determine if you are dependent or independent, further explanation about when parental income is required, and frequently asked questions.

Are You a Dependent or Independent Student?

Even if you are 23 years old and your parents do not provide you any financial support, you may still be considered a dependent student for college financial aid purposes!

Here's a synopsis from the FAFSA government website:

"For financial aid purposes, a student is considered "dependent" if he or she is under 24, unmarried, and has no legal dependents at the time the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is submitted. (Exceptions are made for veterans, wards of court, and other special circumstances.) If a student is considered dependent, then the income and the assets of the parent have to be reported on the FAFSA."

To verify if you are independent or dependent student, the FAFSA federal student loan application has some criteria used to determine if you are an independent or dependent student.

If based upon any of these questions, you are considered a dependent student for college financial aid purposes, then you will most likely need to provide parental financial information on your FAFSA on the web application to qualify for federal student financial aid, as well as other types of college financial aid.

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FAFSA Questions - Dependent or Independent Student

Note: These are the criteria for the 2024 – 2025 FAFSA. These are the criteria that would make you an independent student.

1. The student was born prior to January 1, 2002. (e.g. age 24 or older on January 1, 2025.

2. The student's current marital status is married (not separated) or remarried.

3. The student's college grade level in 2025–26 will be college graduate, professional or beyond.

4. The student is currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training.

5. The student is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

6. The student has children or other people, excluding your spouse, who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

7. The student, since he/she turned age 13, had both parents deceased, was in foster care or was a dependent or ward of the court.

8. As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, the student was an emancipated minor. (Note: you must be able to provide a copy of the court papers and they must still be in effect, or in effect when you turned 18.)

9. The student is or was in a legal guardianship with someone other than their parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in their state of residence.

10. At any time on or after July 1, 2024, the student was unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.

If any of these situations apply to the student, you are likely considered an independent student for financial aid purposes. This is not the same as being independent for income tax purposes. Regardless if you consider yourself an independent student or dependent student, the school will make the final determination and decide how much federal student financial aid, and other types of financial aid, that they will offer you. So learn about the options and how to maximize your financial aid package.

Learn more about FAFSA parental information that will be required, especially if your parents are divorced or other special circumstances.

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Is Parent Information Required on College Financial Aid Form?

What if my mom or dad is single or widowed? What if he or she remarried?

If your mother or father is single or widowed, answer the FAFSA questions about that parent. If your widowed parent is remarried as of today, answer the questions about that parent and your stepparent.

What if my parents are divorced or separated?

Beginning in 2024 - 25, this has changed. Now, if your parents are divorced or separated, answer the FAFSA questions about the parent providing the most financial support during the last 12 months or most recent year that you received support (previously it was the one you lived with the most during the past 12 months). If that parent is remarried as of today, answer the FAFSA parental financial questions about that parent and your stepparent.

Do I need to include my stepparent financial information on the FAFSA financial aid form?

It depends. Yes, if (1) Your mom or dad was widowed and now remarried (2) That parent and step parent provide the most financial support, which includes the step parent if that parent was remarried.

Does this mean if I live with my mom who makes very little money, I can get a full scholarship to a top private school, without worrying about my dad who is a multi-millionaire who disowns us?

Probably not, but like everything, it depends. Some private schools require a CSS Profile application from the non-custodial parent, in addition to the FAFSA. Of course if your GPA is 4.7, you are top of your high school class, captain of the debate team, who knows. Schools are much more likely to offer generous financial aid packages to deserving top students.

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What if My Parents Won't or Can't Provide Their Financial Information for the FASFA Financial Aid Form?

What if my parents say we make too much money to be eligible for financial aid for college students?

The biggest mistake people make is not applying. About 10% of subsidized loans go to students with family incomes over $100,000 per year.

What if one of my parents still refuses to cooperate and provide their financial information? Does that make me ineligible for financial aid?

Beginning with the application for 2024 - 2025, all contributors are required to have a FSA ID and submit to have their Federal Tax Information (FTI) transferred from the IRS, have their tax data used to determine a student's eligibility for federal student aid, and allow the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to share their tax information. If a parent won't cooperate, you should submit the FAFSA financial aid form without that information, and follow up with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend. You will likely only be eligible for a direct, unsubsidized student loan.

All students are eligible for unsubsidized Stafford federal student loans. There are also many scholarships that are not based upon financial need. For example, you may be a National Merit Scholar and receive a scholarship because of your outstanding scores on the PSAT test, not because of financial need. There are also many other merit based scholarships for college.

What if I can’t contact my parents for this information?

There are some unusual situations where you may also submit without information from your parents. For example, if your parents are incarcerated; if you have left home due to abusive family environment; or if you do not know where your parents are and are unable to contact them. Additional unusual situations now include human trafficking, legally granted refugee or asylum status and are separated from your parents, parents are displaced in a foreign country, parental abandonment or estrangement. In these situations, you should submit the FAFSA student loan application without the parent information, and follow up with the financial aid offices. There are many types of financial aid for college students, and they will work with you to provide the best financial aid package for your situation.

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More FAFSA Help

FAFSA

FAFSA Hints

Student Aid Index

Dependent or Independent Student

Printable FAFSA Application

FSA ID - FAFSA Application PIN Number

FAFSA Deadline

FAFSA Submission Summary

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