Dependent/Independent Status

For financial aid purposes, the Department of Education classifies students as either dependent or independent. Dependent students file using their own and their parent(s) information. Independent students are required to provide only their own and their spouse's (if married) information. Dependency status depends mostly on age, but sometimes on other things.

Many students feel they should be considered independent because their parents do not claim them on their tax returns or help them with their education. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the federal government's definition requires you to be able to answer "yes" to one of the following questions to be considered independent:

• Were you born before January 1, 1986
• As of today, are you married
• Will you be working on a master's or doctorate program during the school year 2009-2010?
• 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?
• Do you have children who receive more than half their support from you?
• Do you have dependents (other than your spouse or child) who live with you and receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2010?
• At any time 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? (Note: Not a recognized status in the state of Wisconsin).
• Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in state of legal residence?
• After July 1, 2008, were you an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless as determined by your high school or school district homeless liaison, the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transistional living program?

If you were able to answer "yes" to one of the above questions, your aid will be calculated as an independent student. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding your dependency status or feel that your particular situation warrants additional review.