Who can claim independency on FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important tool for students seeking financial assistance to help pay for college. One of the most common questions asked by students is who can claim independent student status on the FAFSA. In general, a student is considered an independent student if they meet at least one of the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education. This criteria includes being at least 24 years old, a graduate student, married, an orphan or ward of the court, a veteran, or someone with legal dependents other than a spouse. In addition to meeting one of the criteria, students must also meet certain financial criteria to be considered an independent student on the FAFSA. A student must have an adjusted gross income of more than $10,000, have more than $2,000 in assets, or have an income that is more than 150% of the poverty guideline for their state and family size. It is important to note that in some cases, a student may be considered an independent student even if they do not meet the criteria for independent student status. For example, if a student’s parents are unable to provide information for the FAFSA due to a circumstance such as incarceration, homelessness, or deployment, the student may be considered an independent student. In addition, students may also be considered independent if their parents are unable to provide information for the FAFSA due to certain medical conditions or if the student is a ward of the state. If a student is unsure if they meet the criteria to be considered an independent student, they should contact their college financial aid office for assistance. The financial aid office will be able to provide more information on the criteria for independent student status and advise the student on their best options. In summary, a student can claim independent student status on the FAFSA if they meet one of the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education and also meet certain financial criteria. In some cases, a student may be considered an independent student even if they do not meet the criteria. If a student is unsure if they meet the criteria, they should contact their college financial aid office for assistance.
For another perspective, we asked Judge Josh at Outlaw Student the same question — here’s what he said: https://www.outlawstudent.com/2010/08/claiming-independent-on-fafsa/