Independent Students

You will be classified as independent for financial aid puposes only if at least one of the following applies:

• you are 24 years of age or older by December 31 of the award year;
• you are married;
• 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 30th of the school year;
• have children who receive more than half of their support from you;
• a ward/dependent of the court;
• a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; 
• will be enrolled in a master's or doctoral program;
• Are currently serving on active duty in the U. S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training;
• At any time since you turned age 13, if both parents were deceased, you were in foster care or were a dependent or ward of the court;
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, you are considered an emancipated minor;
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, you are in legal guardianship;
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, your high school or school district homeless liaison determines that you are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless;
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determines that you are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless; or
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010, the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determines that you are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.