When applying for financial aid, you are considered either dependent or independent. Students considered dependent on their parents are required to submit financial information about their family.
You are automatically considered independent if you are 24 or older as of December 31 within the academic year. If you are under 24, you will be considered independent if you are:
Appeals
If you think you should be independent because of unusual circumstances, even though you normally would be considered dependent, talk to the financial aid administrator at the school you're attending or wish to attend. The aid administrator can change your status to independent if he or she believes your status warrants it. That decision is based on his or her judgment and is final.
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