Independent Status

Federal regulation determines who is "independent" for Federal student aid programs. Independent students report only their student/spouse income on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid); parental information is not necessary. The seven criteria that establish a student as independent are: (1) age 24, (2) Veteran status, (3) enrollment in a graduate or professional program, (4) married at the time of signing the FAFSA, (5) an orphan or ward of the court, (6) have children who receive more than half of their support from you and/or (7) have legal dependents (other than your children or spouse) for whom over half support is provided.

Financial aid officers watch dependent/independent status carefully because it greatly influences the results of the need analysis formula. Students may be asked to submit proof of their status. Some colleges require information from parents even if the Federal application does not before they will award any of their institution's private funds to aid applicants. Usually independent students demonstrate the most need, but not always.

If a student feels they have unusual circumstances and are really independent, even though they don't meet the government's definition, they may appeal to the university's financial aid administrator. This should be done before the FAFSA is filled out and mailed to the Federal processor. A financial aid administrator may use professional judgment to override a student's dependency status in individual cases. Contact the Financial Aid Office for an independent appeal form. The results would only be applicable to that school; if the student transfers to a different school, the new financial aid officer would have to go through the same process to make a decision on treatment of the appeal. Truman State University grants an appeal only in very limited situations.