The financial information to be provided on the FAFSA depends on the student's "dependency" status.  If the student is considered a dependent student under the U.S. Department of Education's definition, the student will be required to submit both their and their parents' income information.

If the student is considered an independent student, the student will be required to submit their (and their spouse's, if married at the time the FAFSA was signed) income information.

The student may be required to document their independent status by providing copies of a DD214 (for veterans), marriage certificate and/or any other documents required by the Student Financial Aid Office.  The student will be notified if documentation is required.

Definition of an Independent Student

For the 2009-2010 academic Year, students must be able to answer "yes" to at least one of the following questions to be considered independent for financial aid purposes:

• Were you born before January 1, 1986?

• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?

• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?

• During the school year 2009-10, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?

• As of today, are you married? (Answer 'yes' if you are separated but not divorced)

• Do you have children who receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010?

• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2010?

• At anytime 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?

• Are you, or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination?

• Are you, or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence at the time you received the determination?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2008, 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, 2008, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?

• At any time on or after July 1, 2008, 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?