Financial Aid: What is a Dependent Student?

There are several areas of confusion around the college financial aid application process, but one recurring topic that drives questions is a student’s dependency status. Students and families want to know if the student can be considered independent for financial aid purposes. It’s a process that can be very individual to the applicant, but let’s look at some general info on financial aid dependency status to help you better understand the process.

Financial Aid Dependency Status

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What is a Dependent Student?

A dependent student for financial aid purposes is someone who is considered to be financially dependent on their parents or guardians. This means that when applying for financial aid, they are required to provide information about their parents' income and assets.

What Determines Dependent Status?

To be classified as a dependent student, you must be under 24 years old, unmarried, and not have any legal dependents of your own. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as if you are an orphan or ward of the court, or if you are a veteran or serving on active duty in the military.

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Financial Aid Application Requirements for Dependent Students

When you apply for financial aid as a dependent student, your parents' income and assets are taken into consideration along with your own. This information is used to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount of money that your family is expected to contribute toward your education expenses.

Opportunity for Dependency Override Appeal

It's important to note that being classified as a dependent student doesn't necessarily mean that your parents are actually able or willing to contribute to your education expenses. In some cases, you may be able to appeal your dependency status if you can provide evidence of special circumstances, such as estrangement from your parents or financial hardship.

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There is a lot to be gained from our free general financial aid advice, but it’s also a very individual process. If you have remaining financial aid questions, email us to discuss more or book an individual session.