Dependent or Independent...THAT is the Question.

Have you ever wondered why the FAFSA requires your parent's information and signature? At the age of adulthood and as a high school graduate, sometimes students wonder why it’s deemed necessary. How does the Department of Education classify the status of each student applying for federal aid? Is it possible to get financial aid without your parent's consent? Let's take a look at how the FAFSA distinguishes an independent student vs. dependent and find answers to these questions. I think you'll be surprised to learn of the criteria they use to come to their decision.

Section Three of the FAFSA is used as a tool to determine whether or not you need to provide your parental data. If you answer "yes" to any of the stated questions, you are considered independent. If you answer "no" to every one, you are considered dependent and need to submit your parent's data.

• Were you born before January 1, 1988?
• As of today, are you married?
• At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you?
• Do you have dependents who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you?
• At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?
• As determined by the court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you an emancipated minor?
• As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010 did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010 did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2010 did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

So, now I will ask YOU: are you dependent or independent? Will your FAFSA require your parent's information or not? Basically, if you are under the age of 24, are not a parent, are not a graduate student, are not a veteran, and are not homeless...you are dependent. Count your blessings, get out your computer, and be nice to your parents because chances are, you'll need to ask for their information for every year you attend Bay Path!

*We make very rare and select exceptions to this rule. If you believe you are a candidate for this exception, and think you should be considered as an independent student, even though you don't qualify under the above explanation, please submit an Appeal for Independent Status by contacting the Student Financial Services Office at finaid@baypath.edu.