Because you answered “Yes” to a certain Dependency Question on the FAFSA you have been selected for Verification and have been requested to provide additional documentation to substantiate your answer on the FAFSA.

Active Duty Military

You indicated on the FAFSA that you are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training; confirmation of this status is required.

Provide the Office of Student Financial Aid with the following documentation:

  • A copy of your Activation Orders
  • If you serve in the National Guard or Reserves, submit a copy that shows you were activated by presidential order under Title 10 orders

Dependent Children

You indicated on the FAFSA that you have children who will
receive more than half of their support from you. If the answer is correct,
complete the Independent Due to Child Form and submit it to our office. 

  • Make sure this form is filled out completely and hand-signed
  • Make sure you differentiate support provided by each individual if there are multiple parties providing support
    • For example: Child Care $300 per month ($150 biological mother, $100 biological father, $50 grandparent)
  • If the child has yet to be born, please provide a hand-signed letter from your physician confirming your pregnancy and your estimated due date

Emancipated Minor

You indicated on your FAFSA that you are or were an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence. 

If the answer is correct, provide the Office of Student Financial Aid a copy of a court’s decision (not a lawyer or notary signed document) that as of today you are an emancipated minor, or that you were an emancipated minor immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state.

Guardianship

You indicated on your FAFSA that you are or were in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence.

If this answer is correct provide the Office of Student Financial Aid with a copy of a court’s decision that, as of today, you are in a legal guardianship, or that you were in a legal guardianship immediately before you reached the age of being an adult in your state.

Note that this is for a court’s decision on a legal guardianship, not a custody agreement with a relative.

If you only have a custody agreement, we cannot verify your independent status. However, you may qualify for an Independent Appeal.

Homeless by Director of Center

You indicated on your FAFSA that the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.

If the answer is correct, please provide proof to support your circumstance to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Documentation may include a signed and dated letter from the emergency shelter official making this determination.  

Homeless by High School

You indicated on your FAFSA that your high school or school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.

If the answer is correct, please provide proof to support your circumstance to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Documentation may include a signed and dated letter from the school official making this determination on official school letterhead.

Homeless by Transitional Living

You indicated on your FAFSA that the director of a runaway, homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless.

If the answer is correct, please provide proof to support your circumstance to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Documentation may include a signed and dated letter from the program director making this determination.  

Orphan/Foster Care/Ward of the Court

You indicated on your FAFSA that at any time since age 13 one of the following occurred:

  • Both of your parents were deceased
  • You were in foster care
  • You were a ward/dependent of the court

If the answer is correct, please provide proof to support your circumstance to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Supporting documentation may include a copy of the court order regarding foster care or ward of the court status or copies of death certificates for both parents.

Veteran

You indicated on the FAFSA that you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. If the answer is correct, please provide the following documentation:

  • A copy of your Member 4 or Service 2 DD214
  • If you served in the National Guard or Reserves, submit a copy that shows you were activated by presidential order under Title 10 orders
  • If you do not have a copy of your DD214, contact the VA for a duplicate