When can a student receive financial aid and qualify as an independent student?
The U.S. Department of Education defines “independent” differently than the Internal Revenue Service. To be identified as “independent” for financial aid, a student must meet one or more of the following criteria: • be 24 years of age or older • be a graduate student in an approved degree program • be an orphan or ward of the court • be married • be a veteran • have other legal dependents. In all other cases the student is considered a DEPENDENT student and parent/step-parent information will be needed to apply for financial aid. This is true even if students are living, by choice, on their own. It should also be noted that independent students do not always receive more financial aid.
