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FAFSA Dependency

Though many families believe parents are no longer financially responsible for a child once they graduate high school, tax and financial aid guidelines differ on dependency. Most student aid programs are based on both student and parent bearing the responsibility for paying the costs of a student’s college education.

According to the FAFSA

The following checklists provide an overview of Dependency Questions found on the FAFSA. These questions are valid for the following school years. If the student answers “yes” to any of the following questions, they are considered independent.

2027-2028 FAFSA

  • Were you born before Jan. 1, 2004
  • As of today, are you married? (Answer “No” if you are separated but not divorced.)
  • At the beginning of the 2027–28 school year, will you be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program (such as an M.A., MBA, M.D., J.D., Ph.D., Ed.D., graduate certificate, etc.)?
  • Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for purposes other than training? (If you are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee, are you on active duty for other than state or training purposes?)
  • Are you a veteran of the U.S. armed forces?*
  • Do you have children or other people (excluding your spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you now and between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028?
  • At any time since you turned age 13, were you an orphan (no living biological or adoptive parent)?
  • At any time since you turned age 13, were you a ward of the court?
  • At any time since you turned age 13, were you in foster care?
  • Are you or were you a legally emancipated minor, as determined by a court in your state of residence?
  • Are you or were you in a legal guardianship with someone other than your parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in your state of residence?
  • At any point in 2026 or later, were you not living with your parent or guardian, and were you either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

*Answer “Yes” (you are a veteran) if you meet both conditions:

  • 1. You served:
    1. On active duty in the U.S. armed forces (military naval, air, or space service); or
    1. as a reservist or member of the National Guard and were called up to active federal duty by presidential order for a purpose other than training; or
  • on active or inactive duty for training in the U.S. armed forces and were disabled due to injury received or made worse in the line of duty.

2. You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge when you were released.

Also answer “Yes” if you aren’t a veteran now but will be one by June 30, 2028.

*Answer “No” (you are not a veteran) if you:

  • You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge when you were released.
  • Are currently a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) student, a cadet, or midshipman at a service academy;
  • Are currently serving in the U.S. armed forces and will continue to serve through June 30, 2028; or
  • Were engaged in active duty in the U.S. armed forces but released under dishonorable conditions

Independent Appeal

If there are extenuating circumstances, other than a parent’s willingness to provide financial assistance, students may complete a FAFSA Independent Appeal.