For Financial Aid Purposes, What is the Difference Between a Dependent and an Independent Student?

Your answers to questions on the FAFSA determine whether you are considered a dependent or independent student. Your dependency status determines whose information you must report on the FAFSA.

• If you’re a dependent student, you will report your and your parents’ information.
• If you’re an independent student, you will report your information; and if you’re married, your spouse’s information, too.

You are dependent on your parents until you can say YES to at least one of the following questions:

1. Will you be 24 or older by Dec. 31 of the school year for which you are applying?
2. Are you married?
3. Are you working on a master's degree or doctorate?
4. Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
5. Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
6. Do you have children who receive more than half of their financial support from you?
7. Do you have dependents, other than a spouse or children, who live with you and receive more than half of their financial support from you?
8. Did a court make you an emancipated minor before you reached the age of 18?
9. Did a court place you under legal guardianship of someone other than your parents before the age of 18?
10. At any time since you turned 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent/ward of the court?
11. Did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
12. Did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?
13. Did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Need additional help? Access 24/7 live chat, create a case from My ASU Service Center or call 855-278-5080.