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Am I an Independent Student?

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You are considered an independent student for financial aid purposes if you can answer "Yes" to one of the following questions at the time you complete and sign the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

• Were you born before January 1, 1990?
• As of today are you married?
• At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
• 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?
• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014?
• 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, now and through June 30, 2014?
• At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2012, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2012, 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?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2012, 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?

Note: If your answer is no to all of the above conditions you are considered a dependent student and must provide parental information on the 2013-2014 FAFSA.

 

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You are considered an independent student for financial aid purposes if you can answer "Yes" to one of the following questions at the time you complete and sign the FAFSA:

• Were you born before January 1, 1989?
• As of today, are you married? (Also answer "yes" if you are separated but not divorced.)?
• At the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.)?
• 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?
• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013?
• Do you have dependents (other than you children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2013?
• At any time since you turned age 13, were both of your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, 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?
• At any tie on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

Note: If your answer is no to all of the above conditions you are considered a dependent student and must provide parental information on the 2012-2013 FAFSA.

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Many students feel they are independent because they currently live on their own or because their parents no longer claim them on their income taxes. Others feel they should be considered independent because their parents refuse to provide information on the FAFSA or because their parents cannot afford to help with college expenses. However, these reasons are not sufficient for an appeal.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance is required to consider parent information and expect a parental contribution for students who are not independent according to the above FAFSA definition unless exceptions are made. Exceptions are made only when adequate documentation of extenuating family circumstances exists. Extenuating circumstances are generally defined by students' inability to have contact with their parents.

If you have extenuating circumstances you may download and complete the Dependency Override online at www.usi.edu/finaid/sfaforms.asp. Please submit all requested documentation with the form. Incomplete Dependency Overrides will not be processed.