What is an independent student?
One of the following qualifications must be met in order to apply for funding as an independent student. Living on your own does not qualify you as an independent student. Currently, an undergraduate student is only considered “independent” for Title IV purposes if he or she: • Is at least 24 years of age on or before December 31st of the award year; • Is a graduate or professional student; • Is married; • Has children or dependents other than a spouse for whom the student provides more than half support; • Is an orphan (i.e. both parents are deceased) or is a ward/dependent of the court, or was a ward/dependent of the court until age 18; • Is serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for other than training purposes; • Is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces; • Is an emancipated minor as determined by a state court; • Is in legal guardianship as determined by a state court or; • Is an unaccompanied youth who was determined to be homeless by either a school district homeless liaiso
By the federal definition, a student is allowed to apply for financial aid without reporting parental income or other information and who does not need to have their parental signatures on the financial aid forms. If the student is not 24 years old, not a veteran of the armed forces, not an orphan or ward of the court, not a single parent, not a married student or graduate student, they are NOT independent. Students who do not fit into the federal definition are required to supply parent information and signatures if they want to apply for federal aid. Students and their families should read this section on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) very carefully before completing the form. If you have any questions about the student’s status, please contact Student Financial Aid Services before the form is filed.
An independent student for the purposes of the Education Tax Refund is a student who: • undertakes full-time primary or secondary school studies • is receiving payments under a prescribed educational scheme – for example, ABSTUDY Living Allowance or a social security pension or benefit such as Youth Allowance or payments under a program included in the programs known as labour market programs • satisfies an independence requirement that is relevant to the amount of the payment • undertakes full-time secondary school studies • is under 25 • is an Australian resident or a special category visa holder who resides in Australia, and • doesn’t have anyone else who is eligible for the Education Tax Refund for them. Example George is 20 years old. He lives alone and receives a government support payment. He returns to school to complete his higher school certificate and buys a laptop computer and internet connection to help in his studies. George is eligible to claim the Education Tax Refund f
• Someone who was born before 1/1/1985 • Will be a graduate or professional student • Is married as of the date of application • Has dependents other than a spouse • Is an orphan • Is or was a ward/dependent of the court • Is a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces • Is currently serving on active duty for purposes other than training 2009-2010 (Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Summer 2010): • Someone who was born before 1/1/1986 • Will be a graduate or professional student • Is married or separated as of the date the application is signed • Has dependents other than a spouse • Is an orphan • Is or was a ward/dependent of the court • Is a Veteran of the U.S.
